Introduction
This document will explain the basic steps for cleaning up sandcarved jobs and packing for efficient and safe handling. It is important to follow the steps to ensure consistent and efficient production.
PRODUCT CARE
- When unpacking stock check for scratches, chips deformities before proceeding with the job. Finding a scratch after etching won’t allow for refund.
- Always handle items with care to avoid damaging. In particular, glass and shiny metal surfaces are delicate.
- Ensure you use clean soft cloth and cotton gloves when doing a final clean on the item before packing.
- Always pack items well to ensure they are not damaged in transit.
- Apply FRAGILE stickers to ensure packages are handled correctly.
CHECK THE BLAST
After sand blasting, it is important to check that the sandblasted item has consistent etching before you remove the resist. Following the correct sandcarving motion will ensure consistent great quality work.
- Has all of the artwork been etched evenly? Ensure that centres of o, e, p etc. are still present and have not been frosted during sandblasting.
- Have the fine lines been sandblasted evenly and remain in their original place (not skewed)?
WATER SOAK & CLEAN UP
The easiest way to remove the resist after sandblasting on a big job is to soak the items in warm soapy water.
- Lay cloth down in the sink and fill the sink with warm water and add some dishwashing liquid.
- Place items resist side down to reduce the chance of scratching. Don’t let this part of the clean-up ruin your good work!
- After about 5 minutes the resist will become soft and very easy to remove from the item. Give it enough time to soak so that the resist comes off easily. Don’t waste time rubbing away at resist not yet ready to come off. It should slip off with a simple hand movement. Use your hand or a wet cloth.
- Once clean rinse the item in fairly hot clean water. The hot water makes the item dry much faster. The hospitality industry have known this for years and use this trick every time.
- Place the item on a protected surface to finish drying.
The final clean up may include a surface cleaning spray and clean soft cloth. This process needs to be done fast and efficiently. It is easy to spend lots of time (like 2 minutes per item) but for productivity you should learn to do this process fast (like 30 secs max). Here are some tips.
- Use the hot water rinse on your well cleaned items because this will make a big difference to the items' clean state.
- Wear white gloves while cleaning so you don’t leave finger marks,
- Use alcohol based cleaning sprays as they evaporate quickly.
- Don’t use much spray, just a light mist will do. Plastering the piece with lots of cleaning spray lengthens clean up and does not make the item cleaner!
- A light spray and a light fluffy buff is what’s called for.
- Have the packing boxes ready so the item can go straight into the packing box -- rather than be placed on a bench and then into a box. Efficient and safe.
CHECK AND PACK EFFICIENTLY
Have packing boxes ready so that after you clean the item you can tick off and pack -- makes for an efficient production.
- Consider any special packaging needs for shipping.
- Final inspection of the etching quality.
- Check off the list to ensure all items are accounted for.
- Place item directly into the packing box.
- Repeat until job is complete.
- “Well done – Great Job”
In Summary
- Check for scratches before commencing a job.
- Most glass can be soaked in warm water with a little bit of dishwashing liquid.
- Place item resist side down on cloth to avoid scratching.
- Wear cotton gloves when doing final clean.
- Check blasting is even, lines not skewed, centres in place.
- Check off the list before packing.
- Pack items well with Fragile Stickers applied to packaging.