The 3M ultrafine sandpapers are pretty close to a polish, so the scratches will be microscopic, but they're still there.

I don't know the properties of platinum. If it's soft, like silver or gold, then sanding it even with ultra fine will take material off in a noticeable way. If it's harder, like steel or titanium, it will barely polish it.

The increase in surface area might not mean much, but the sharpened and jagged peak edges between the scratches might react better and help heat the wire to glowing.

A battery powered glow plug type stove lighter is a cool idea too. For that matter, a small piezo might do the trick. Still wouldn't be as cool as the Catalytic though. That's like magic.:D


Edited by billstephenson (02/22/13 09:30 PM)
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