The first step in preparing sample is to ensure that a surface begin flat. A water-cooled abrasive grinder is available to form a flat initial surface from which to begin. Be sure that the water coolant system is operating, so that your sample does not get heated up during the grinding process. To make the rest of the polishing process easier, it is usually helpful to use the grinder to bevel the edges of the sample mount. This will help prevent the mount from catching on the felt cloths used on the rotating wheels. After getting a flat sample on the belt grinder, WASH your sample and your hands thoroughly. Be sure the water is turned on and flowing uniformly over the abrasives.
Star with the coarsest grit (240) and, using a firm and uniform pressure, slowly move the specimen forward and back across the abrasive. This will produce parallel scratches of uniform size. Continue this step until the entire surface of your sample is flat and contains only scratches of the size of 240 grit abrasive. When the sample is flat and the only scratches remaining are those due to the 240 grit abrasive, WASH your sample and your hands thoroughly, and move to the 400 grit abrasive. Repeat this procedure for the 400 grit, 600 grit, 800 grit, 1000 grit, and 1200 grit abrasive, checking after each step to be sure that only those scratches remain that are due to the smallest grit. Be sure to wash your sample and hands after each abrasive. Put the sample on wheel to be obtained the 90° scratch between each abrasive paper!!