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Burnishing

Burnishing is a process in which the surface of a metal surface, using a hard smooth surface such as a wooden or bone spatula, smooth stones, plastic, or even glass bulbs. This process flattens the high spots by causing plastic flow of the metal.The edges of sheet metal can be smoothed out by pushing the sheet metal through a die that will exert a compressive force to smooth out the blanked edge and the burrs caused by the die break. After the process, the surface is extremely shiny and often the whole outer surface of the item is thus decorated.

This technique can be applied to concrete masonry, creating a polished finish. Burnishing can also be applied to wood. Hard woods are best to use with this. Rub them along one another, the more important one should be rubbed down its grain, but cross ways will still work, and shortly a glossy sheen will come up and the wood will become slick. Burnishing does not protect the wood like a varnish does, but you do not have to wait for a burnished piece of wood to dry as you would if you had varnished it.