Shining Soap

[Orebma]

Hi Folks,
I wondered if there is a way to make soaps appear more shiney? There isn't any dustiness or anything but I'd really like the ones I coloured to look like a stone to be shinier

 

[lenarenee]

It's a finished bar? Cured? Dip into a bowl of water quickly, place bar on a rack to drain and dry. I also wondering if spritzing with isopropyl alcohol will do the same thing.

 

[Orebma]

It's a finished bar? Cured? Dip into a bowl of water quickly, place bar on a rack to drain and dry. I also wondering if spritzing with isopropyl alcohol will do the same thing.

I have some part cured and one I've just made. So - wait till it is cured to dip or isopropyl?

 

[ResolvableOwl]

Most of my soaps develop a matte, velvety surface all by themselves, and this even restores by itself after each usage (if I let them dry completely). I'm happy with this. Telling this since you might consider embracing the classy look of a matte finish.

If you want to achieve high gloss, you might “burnish” it, but they have to have just the right amount of residual moisture. To get clay glossy, one waits for the “leather-hard” state (just dry enough that you see every fingerprint), and then rubs the surface with a hard object (agate burnisher if you're fancy). Idk how far this is transferable to soap, but it's worth a try!

Depending on the age of the soap and your goals, have you considered shrink-wrapping?

And of course, the lazy method for getting the best glossy effects is M&P.

 

[Orebma]

Most of my soaps develop a matte, velvety surface all by themselves, and this even restores by itself after each usage (if I let them dry completely). I'm happy with this. Telling this since you might consider embracing the classy look of a matte finish.

If you want to achieve high gloss, you might “burnish” it, but they have to have just the right amount of residual moisture. To get clay glossy, one waits for the “leather-hard” state (just dry enough that you see every fingerprint), and then rubs the surface with a hard object (agate burnisher if you're fancy). Idk how far this is transferable to soap, but it's worth a try!

Depending on the age of the soap and your goals, have you considered shrink-wrapping?

And of course, the lazy method for getting the best glossy effects is M&P.

wow - I read the pottery article - who knew??? I love the idea of burnishing

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I get good results using a microfiber cloth.

 

[earlene]

I spray with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) & polish the soap as I dry it using a microfiber cloth. That brings out a nice sheen. I wouldn't exactly call it shiny, per se, but in the right light I do have to be careful when photographing to keep the shine-reflective spot from showing.