The Glossy Aneros: A Step-by-Step Guide

@Zenopause A great, informative post! Are you able to show any photos of the "finished product"?

@goldenboy -

Will do. Wish I had one of the unpolisheds to show the comparison, but stay tuned.

@Zenopause Looking forward to the pics!

@Zenopause I'm a little behind in the discussion, but did you ever take those photos?

I wasn't going to bother with doing this, but I just got a Peridise set, and I found them a little uncomfortable to use. While washing them after the first use, I found out why. The sprue from moulding hadn't been completely polished off, and it was scraping my insides. So now I figure while I'm polishing that one, I'll get all of them done.

I applaud your effort but wonder if all that really makes much of a difference? I certainly agree with Kaygo that if there was any rough edge that needs to go but after applying lube does the polishing really make it more slippery that one might tell the difference?

I applaud your effort but wonder if all that really makes much of a difference? I certainly agree with Kaygo that if there was any rough edge that needs to go but after applying lube does the polishing really make it more slippery that one might tell the difference?

I think that we can all agree that much of our pleasure here, is derived in no small part from our mindset. It stands to reason that, if the device seems more luxurious/prettier/sexier polished then unpolished, then yes, one CAN tell the difference.

Why buy any car model other than a base model, when the base model will get you there the same as more expensive luxury trim line model; same thing.

Just my $0.02

I went a different route in polishing my Eupho. Lacquered cabinets can be polished to a mirror finish with progressively finer grits of pumice powder and finally rottenstone powder. Since the Eupho is pretty smooth to begin with, I started with 4F pumice mixed into a paste with mineral oil. Using a cloth, the mixture was rubbed onto the Eupho until the opaque finish became shiny after cleaning. Then I switched to Rottenstone again using Mineral oil as the carrier. Rottenstone is such a fine grit that it takes a while to use it to maximum effect, but when finished the Eupho will attain a finish like glass, and in light it will look much like a polished pearl. Thoroughly clean with soap and water when done polishing. If a close inspection of the surface reveals minor scratches or other imperfections, repeat the Rottenstone polishing step.

Polishing made a quantum difference in performance. Those who are experienced with the Eupho will know that minute controlled movements result in an exquisite experience. The polishing gave me much improved ability to guide the Eupho right where I wanted it at the desired rhythm during sessions. As for the involuntaries, when they kick in, the out and in motion is much quicker, definitely more forceful on the in stroke, and seem to be much more rhythmic.

Polishing is worth the effort.

Hey fellas-

I never could figure out how to upload the pics, because they turned into microthumbs. Regardless, polishing gives our toys an after-market turbo. I never liked that moonstone texture, and once it was gone, the toys slipped and slid and moved like they were unleashed- DLD is dead on. Granted, I'm an intermediate who hasn't experienced any of the big Os yet, but still, the sheer delight of a glossy toy is something our bodies and minds appreciate much more fully.

@kaygo and @thhn - I have every Aneros, except the Prog Jr, and I gave the Peridise twins a basic treatment, not as meticulous as the higher ones, but still enough to smooth them out. I'd recommend it. Some very fine grit sandpaper assortments, polishing compound, whatever, but I think you'll feel and appreciate the difference. Good luck- those two little ones can be real firecrackers at surprising times. Mr. Thhn, Panoguy gives a perfect response to that Q- there is a powerful bond between perception and results, and if our doodads are prettier and sleeker, they're more fun. If you have a couple of models, polish one and compare them. I think you'll polish them all after that.

@Panoguy - that isn't two cents, that's two million bucks. Perception becomes reality in our weirdo anal pleasure dome, and the more we can accentuate our appreciation, the more it pays off. Well said.

@DLD - What a terrific post! I've never heard of this, but I'm gonna try it. A couple of my horses need a bit more shine. Are those ingredients widely available? S'truth: Polishing really is worth the effort. It doesn't seem like it would make much difference, but you and I can attest the opposite.

Cheers, and let's hear how it goes.

Best of pleasures,
Z

almost any woodworking store will sell pumice and rottenstone powder. I see it is even available through Amazon.

I googled polishing plastic and diatomaceous earth came up.I just happend to have it on hand,I use it in the garden ,it lacerates the protective coating so they dehydrate.I mixed up a paste and used felt to polish one side of my PS-new and it shines like a mirror!!:p!!:)!!.I see Lowes has a polishing wheel for drills which is where im going tomorrow;). PS it is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms and kills insects.

@evergreen people also give it to dogs as a natural alternative drugs for flea and parasite control.

Yes I also used it on my dog when I had one,after I put a flea collar on and his reaction was like I poured gasoline on him and lit it.

If you guys bought Trident models and still have the OG models you could use those to test this out first.

Ya thats why Im doing the PS-new first.I think im going to like the ribbed stem being super slick.I think it would be great for the 950 and the peristal also.

I got out all my models and inspected them for rough edges and was surprised to feel that there was a definite seam like it was a two piece mold that was put together. Although it was not sharp or rough it was a definite ridge. I already have the supplies so I will polish them up and see what happens.
I looked at buffing wheels for polishing - anyone try those?
Thanks for the great idea

@evergreen, @DLD , et al:

I tried some 4f pumice and rottenstone per DLD's advice. I used my already polished Helix Trident, and followed DLD's directions. I found though that it actually had a slightly coarser grit, even after the rottenstone, and actually dulled the gloss a little. So, being a man of science, I grabbed some super fine sandpaper, 3000 and 5000, some Novus polish, and an electric toothbrush with sensitive, low-abrasiv toothpaste, and gave each substance equal time and treatment. I used my HIH 950 as the control, because it's one of my glossiest.

The results: they all worked fairly well, but the pumice and rottenstone were better as an intermediary on the way to the 5000 grit paper, wet sanded. The Novus medium and spray polish did a nice job, but still not as glossy as the 5000 wet sanding. The electric toothbrush was a great finishing touch, but didn't do much on its own--it needed a coarser treatment first. So, in my experience, the winning combo was either the pumice/rottenstone steps first, or the Novus medium, then the 5000 wet sanding, then the Novus final spray polish. I couldn't tell if the toothpaste helped after that, but it didn't hurt.

Conclusion: 5000 wet sanding is still the best finishing step. However, I don't have a buffing wheel or drill attachment, so can't attest to the hi-tech options.

What's all your feedback on this? Anyone able to post pictures? I also like the idea of trying the DE--never thought of that. Oh, and Evergreen, I highly recommend using the HIH950 as your tester--cheap and easy.

Best of pleasures, and report back.

Z

Yes I did the 950 with my drill attachment and so far it is not as shiney as the one side I did on the PS-new.Now im wondering if all the models are exactly the same,having said that I was not impressed with the quality of the polishing wheel I got at Home Depot.When I polished the PS-new I started with baking soda then toothpast then diatomaceous earth and rubbed until my hands went numb:confused:,so Its probably not a fair comparison.None of the materials I have used would ever damage an aneros so I will keep playing around when I have time.

wow - thanks for the research... I am off to get some 5000 paper!