Sofia Martinez
Many tabletop gamers enjoy the process of customizing their dice, especially for games like Dungeons & Dragons (DnD). While some players prefer the basic colour swirls of commercial dice, others like to experiment with casting their own dice out of plastic resin, adding glitter, and customizing them to match their characters. One of the more challenging aspects of making your own dice is finishing them, which involves sanding and polishing. To sand and polish dice, you'll need a smooth, waterproof surface, such as glass or granite, and sandpaper or Zona papers. The process involves wetting the paper and making small circles with the dice, keeping the face of the die flat and parallel with the paper. After sanding and polishing, it's important to clean the dice with mild soapy water and a toothbrush to remove any remaining dust or gunk. While some players take great care in polishing their dice, others simply use basic soap and water to clean their dice, especially if they've been exposed to germs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Zona paper, clay pottery wheel, glass mirror, grit sandpaper, resin, paper towel, toothbrush, mild soapy water, polishing scrub, lubricating and shining lotion, compressed air, anti-aging spray |
| Techniques | Sanding in small circles, polishing, cleaning with water and gel, using a spinning tool, using a headlamp, using a clay pottery wheel |
| Time | Time-consuming |
| Difficulty | Daunting |
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What You'll Learn
Use a pottery wheel and mirror to polish multiple dice sets quickly
Using a pottery wheel and a mirror is an effective way to quickly polish multiple sets of plastic DND dice. This method can significantly reduce the time required to polish each set of dice. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get started:
First, purchase a pottery wheel. You can find affordable options specifically designed for children that work well for this purpose. For example, a $30 kids' clay pottery wheel was mentioned as a successful choice. In addition to the pottery wheel, you will need a circular glass mirror. You can look for one at a dollar store or an equivalent shop near you.
Before you begin polishing, it is important to organize your dice and identify any flaws. Note each die you plan to work on and use 1000-grit sandpaper to remove any severe flaws by hand. Sand each face with gentle, circular motions, ensuring you rinse between the faces to prevent scratches.
Now, you can begin using the pottery wheel. Cut your chosen polishing paper into squares slightly larger than the wheel, and saturate them. The type of polishing paper you use will determine the number of revolutions needed. For example, if using Green Zona paper, polish for 5 revolutions per face, and for White Zona, polish for 8 revolutions per face. Keep the dice in water during the polishing process, and use clean water for each step.
Using a pottery wheel and mirror setup can greatly speed up the process of polishing your plastic DND dice. Remember to take the necessary precautions, such as wearing gloves and a mask, and ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area.
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Clean dice with mild soapy water and an old toothbrush
To clean your plastic DND dice with mild soapy water and an old toothbrush, follow these steps:
Firstly, fill a bowl or a sink with warm water and add a few drops of mild soap or dish soap. Stir the water to create a sudsy solution. Avoid using hot water as this can melt plastic dice. You can also add a small amount of baking soda to the solution if your dice are particularly dirty or need to be sanitised.
Next, place your dice in the bowl and let them soak for a few minutes. This will help to loosen and dissolve any dirt, dust, or grease on the surface of the dice. If your dice are made from resin, do not use alcohol or cotton products as these can react with the resin and cause a loss of colour or shine.
Once the dice have soaked, gently scrub them with a soft cloth, sponge, or toothbrush. Pay special attention to the corners, edges, and crevices of the dice, where dirt and dust can accumulate. Use the toothbrush to carefully clean the numbers or symbols on the dice, ensuring you do not leave any scratches.
Finally, rinse the dice with clean water and dry them with a soft towel or paper towel. Make sure the dice are completely dry before storing or using them to prevent mould or mildew.
This method is simple, cheap, and universal, and it will help to keep your plastic DND dice clean and in good condition.
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Use micro mesh to polish dice
To polish plastic DnD dice, you can use Micro-Mesh 2" Polishing Pads. These pads are colour-coded and are great for achieving a glossy finish. The pads start at 1500 grit and go up to 12,000 grit.
- Start with a lower grit sandpaper, such as 800 grit, to wet sand each face of the dice. Use water and sand in a single direction to preserve the sharp edges.
- After 20 strokes on each face, move up to a higher grit, such as 1500, and repeat the wet sanding process.
- Continue using the Micro-Mesh pads, working your way up to the highest grit of 12,000.
- Take your time and be thorough, as this process can be extremely slow, but it is worth it to achieve a glossy and crystal-clear finish.
- Remember, the dice may look worse before they start to look better, so don't be discouraged!
Using Micro-Mesh polishing pads is an effective way to polish plastic DnD dice and achieve a desirable shine.
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Use polishing paper on a smooth surface to polish dice
When it comes to polishing plastic DND dice, one of the most popular methods is to use Zona polishing paper on a smooth surface. This technique is widely used by dice makers and is known for producing a polished and shiny finish.
To begin the process, it is recommended to use a smooth, waterproof surface such as a piece of glass, a mirror, or a granite countertop. A smooth surface is crucial to achieving an even polish on the dice. Before placing the Zona paper, it is a good idea to wipe down the surface to ensure it is clean and free of any debris.
The Zona polishing paper comes in different grit levels, ranging from rough to smooth. The papers are typically used in a specific order, progressing from the grey paper, followed by light blue, pink, aqua, and finally, white. Each colour corresponds to a different level of smoothness, with the pink paper being where the polishing effect becomes noticeable.
To use the Zona paper effectively, cut a 2" x 2" square from the sheet and thoroughly wet it to ensure it adheres to the smooth surface. Then, using small circular motions, sand each face of the die that has the sprue mark. It is important to sand in the same way you would with 1500/2000 grit sandpaper, being careful not to apply too much pressure. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that you remove any sanding marks from the previous level before moving on to the next colour of Zona paper. If scratches are still visible, it is advisable to go back and sand a little more with the previous level of paper.
By following these steps and using Zona polishing paper on a smooth surface, you can effectively polish plastic DND dice, achieving a shiny and professional finish.
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Avoid using alcohol to clean dice
While cleaning your DND dice, it is best to avoid using alcohol-based products. Although alcohol is a strong solvent that can help remove stubborn dirt and grime, it can also be harmful to the paint on your dice. Hand sanitisers, for example, often contain alcohol and can leave behind a residue, affecting the paint on your dice.
Alcohol can also dry out the dice, making them look dull and increasing the chance of cracking. This is especially true for acrylic dice, which are vulnerable to cracking when exposed to alcohol. If you want to keep your dice in good condition and maintain their shine, it is best to avoid using alcohol-based products for cleaning and opt for alternative methods such as mild soap and water or specialised dice cleaning products.
Additionally, alcohol is not a very effective method for removing ink from dice. While it may not harm the dice itself, it will require a lot of effort to scrape away the paint. So, if you're looking for an efficient and effective way to clean your dice, alcohol is not the best choice.
Overall, it is best to avoid using alcohol to clean your DND dice as it can be time-consuming and may cause more harm than good. There are plenty of other effective methods to clean and polish your dice without risking damage to their paint or surface.
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Frequently asked questions
To polish plastic DnD dice, you can use Zona papers, which are widely used by dice-making groups. You can also use micro mesh, which starts at 1500 grit and goes up to 15,000.
First, cut a 2" by 2" square of Zona paper and thoroughly wet it so that it sticks to your smooth surface. Using small circles, sand each face of the die. Ensure that you are not seeing any sanding marks from the previous level of Zona before moving on.
An alternative method is to use a pottery wheel and a circular glass mirror. You can polish 5 sets of dice in under an hour with this method.
