ATM [long] Getting the smoothest mirror (no dog biscuit)

["Jon Bertrand"<jonb@cirris.com>]

figure, smooth, dog biscuit, ripple, zones


Okay,

I've spent days looking through the archives trying to find all the variables
that control the smoothness.  My IQ must be going down because I can't find the
"total dog biscuit solution thread" in the archive.  So with due respect to
those who feel it's trite... here I go asking:

How do you get a _really_ smooth figure?

I have a sphere on my 10" mirror.  Monster hill is gone, I don't see any TDE. 
All that's left is a tiny hint of zoning and a little dog biscuit.  It reminds
me of the Tex photo of the "1/20 wave" ripple only its a little worse.

I see lots of talk about (and please comment on):

"Tool size"

    Some say bigger, some smaller, mine is 100% of the mirror with a nice
beveled edge.

"Use slow strokes"

    How slow?  I'm going pretty slow.

"Use light pressure"

    How light?  Just my hands, or even less?

"Refine the CeO to make 'the good stuff:'"

    Mix CeO and water, settle for 30 seconds, pour off the good stuff or

    Use a cloth square to make a "tea bag" of CeO and kneed 
    it in water until the good stuff leaks out (al la ATM books).

"Use rouge in place of CeO"

"Press press and press again."

    Keep good contact - warm with a hair dryer and press, press, press.

    Use your net mesh and cold press, press press.

    Do short (minute or two sessions) then press press press.

"Keep it wet"

    Don't let it dry out and get all screechy.

"Channel my way"
    
    Wide or narrow, seems some people say narrow is best?

"Use my stroke"

    Lots of 1/3 COC but there is some talk of W and zig zag, what's the deal
here?

"Watch the drag"

    Its supposed to be even and steady.  What about straight 
    strokes where you stop at the end of each stroke?  Should you keep it
moving?

I plan on spending the time finding what works in my case and I'd like to have
"the complete list of ideas" from this great pool of experts.

Thanks,

Jon Bertrand
jonb@cirris.com