The common material used to polish the surface of a finished product is?
A. Knife C. Sandpaper B. Chisel D. Gloss paint
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Sandpaper.
Explanation:
When finishing a product, especially one made of wood, metal, or plastic, polishing the surface is a crucial step to achieve a smooth, clean, and often shiny finish. Among the options given:
- Knife (A) and Chisel (B) are cutting tools used mainly for shaping or removing larger pieces of material rather than polishing. They are designed to carve or cut rather than smooth the surface.
- Gloss paint (D) is a finishing coating that adds shine and protection, but it is not used for polishing. Instead, it is applied after the surface has been prepared and polished.
- Sandpaper (C) is specifically designed for polishing and smoothing surfaces. It consists of a paper or cloth backing with abrasive particles glued on its surface. These abrasive particles wear down the roughness or irregularities on the material’s surface when rubbed against it. Sandpaper comes in various grit sizes, from coarse to very fine, allowing progressive smoothing until the desired finish is achieved.
Why Sandpaper is Ideal for Polishing:
- Abrasive Action: Sandpaper’s abrasive grains scrape off tiny amounts of material, removing rough spots, scratches, and uneven textures.
- Versatility: It can be used on many materials—wood, metal, plastic, paint layers, and more.
- Gradual Smoothing: Starting with coarser grit and moving to finer grit, sandpaper refines the surface progressively.
- Improved Appearance: After sanding, surfaces become smoother, which helps paint, varnish, or other finishes adhere better and look more polished.
In summary, sanding with sandpaper is the most common, practical, and effective way to polish a surface before applying any finishing treatments like paint or varnish. The other options either modify the shape or add finishes but do not polish the surface itself.