Mold Polishing Class

A comprehensive 2-day foundation course covering essential mold polishing techniques, abrasive selection, surface finish standards, and hands-on work with Gesswein equipment. Suitable for all skill levels — from polishers new to the trade to experienced professionals looking to sharpen fundamentals.

Location: Gesswein Headquarters in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Enrollment Fee: $1,250 due in full prior to the class

Requirements: All level

Length: 2 days

2026 Class Schedule:

  • April 20th - 21st
  • July 23rd - 24th
  • October 22nd - 23rd

New!

Advanced Mold Polishing Class

A 3-day intensive course designed for working mold polishers ready to push their techniques further. Coursework is tailored to your specific parts and challenges — so you leave with skills you can apply immediately on the shop floor.

Location: Gesswein Headquarters in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Enrollment Fee: $1,750 due in full prior to the class

Requirements: Minimum 2-years of experience in mold polishing

Length: 3 days

2026 Class Schedule:

  • July 28th - 30th

On-Site Training

Can't make it to us? No problem! We'll come to you. Our team provides on-site services for consultations, repairs, or installations, ensuring top-notch service at your location. Let us bring our expertise to you for your convenience.

Enrollment Fee: Contact Us for Pricing

Requirements: All levels

Length: 2 days

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Customer Reviews

  • “The class was very informative. Our instructor Donald was awesome. The techniques I learned here will most definitely benefit me throughout my career.”

    Cody Youngeis | Tessy Plastics

  • “I left this class with a higher confidence level than when I came. I feel more like I had formal training that is a must when conducting my work.”

    Julias Szalay | BIC Corp

Meet the Instructors

  • Donald Gonzalez

    Donald Gonzalez has over 40 years of experience in the mold polishing field. He started his apprenticeship in 1979 at Caco Pacific and moved to Kipp Group Medical Products where he worked for 11 years. He then went on to start his own mold polishing business, DG Mold Polishing, which he currently runs today with his family. Donald loves working with people and teaching them new techniques of the trade. One thing he loves about our ultrasonic polishing machines is how easy they are to use especially for polishing tight areas such as ribs, sidewalls and small details. Donald believes that there will always be a need for polishers in the mold and die industry.

  • Steve Smith

    Steve Smith has over 45 years of experience in mold polishing. He first began polishing at Wilkin’s Mold Polishing, which was the only mold polishing shop in the western part of the United States that trained polishers. In 1979, he went on to become the Mold Polishing Supervisor at Caco Pacific, where he worked for the remainder of his career. Steve enjoys working with students in our mold polishing classes, helping them improve their proficiency to become better mold polishers. One thing he loves about our ultrasonic polishing machines is how helpful they are on Sinker EDM.

Featured Tools from Class

Explore a selection of products our instructors and students use in our classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will we learn in the Mold Polishing Class?

We cover the fundamentals every polisher needs: SPI finish standards, abrasive selection and grit progression, tool hardness, and the techniques used to work through different surface geometries — flat areas, concave and convex curves, ribs, and sidewalls. Students also learn how to identify and correct common defects like orange peel. It's two days of focused, hands-on training with real tools on real surfaces.

What is the difference between the standard Mold Polishing Class and Advanced class?

The standard class builds foundational skills and is open to all levels. The Advanced class is for working polishers with at least two years of experience who want to push their technique — particularly toward achieving A1, A2, and A3 mirror finishes. The Advanced class is built around your specific parts, not a standard demo block, so the training is directly applicable to your work.

What SPI finish levels are covered?

We cover the full SPI finish range — from stone finishes (C1–C3) used for functional parts, to gloss finishes (B1–B3), all the way to mirror finishes (A1–A3) achieved with diamond compounds. Students in the standard class learn to polish from a rough EDM surface to a mirror A-2 finish. The Advanced class focuses specifically on achieving A1, A2, and A3 finishes.

What is "orange peel" and why does it matter?

Orange peel is a surface defect caused by over-polishing — too much pressure, speed, or time. It creates ripples and pitting that are difficult to fix. We cover how to recognize it, what causes it, and how to correct it. Understanding orange peel is essential for anyone working toward high-gloss or mirror finishes.

Can I bring my own parts?

Yes. Both courses offer the option to work on your own parts with instructor guidance. For the Advanced class, submitting a drawing or illustration of your part before registration is required — we use it to build a customized polishing plan for you

Who teaches the classes?

Our instructors are Master Mold Polishers Donald Gonzalez and Steve Smith, with a combined 90+ years of experience and over 700 professionals trained. Both developed their expertise at Caco Pacific and bring real production-floor knowledge to the classroom.

Does Gesswein offer on-site training?

Yes. We'll come to your shop for a two-day hands-on session led by one of our Master Mold Polishers. We bring all equipment and tools. Contact us via our sign up form for pricing.

How do we register?

Use the sign-up form on this page. Share your preferred class date, group size, or questions about on-site training and we'll follow up to confirm your spot and collect payment.

Resources

Review our class flyers for a closer look at training content, session details, and what to expect during each course.