putty powder

noun

1. an abrasive consisting chiefly of stannic oxide, used for polishing hard surfaces.

putty powder

noun

1. a powder, either tin oxide or tin and lead oxide, used for polishing glassware, metal, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of putty powder¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The polishing of stones, whether cabochon or facetted, is accomplished by the use of very finely powdered abrasives such as corundum powder, tripoli, pumice, putty powder, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Stones, such as agates, which are found on the sea beach, or any stone which is required to be polished, is to be first ground down to a rough surface, then polished by successive rubbings of first, second, and third grit-stones of different degrees of fineness, lastly "Water-Ayr" or "Snake-stone," and finished with "putty powder" applied with oil.

From Project Gutenberg

The process is this: Fasten the horns firmly somewhere and attack first with rasp, then file, scrape with glass, fine sandpaper, finer sandpaper, powdered pumice stone, putty powder.

From Project Gutenberg

Some glass polishers prefer to use putty powder as a polishing material, and it is sometimes said to act more quickly than rouge; from my rather limited experience I have not found this to be the case, but it may have merits that I do not know of.

From Project Gutenberg

Marble is ground very easily with sand and water; it is fined with emery and polished with putty powder, which, I understand, is best used with water on cloth or felt.

From Project Gutenberg