Polishing does not work harden the surface. Preparing the pivot If the pivot is worn, you must either remove the wear by filing or replace the pivot by re-pivoting. After cleaning up the pivot, don't forget to check the wheel in the plates, you might need to re-bush them as well. The burnisher must be prepared for use at regular intervals. To prepare the burnisher, it must be rubbed sideways across an emery stone.
Some repairers use sandpaper or emery paper in place of the emery stone.
The actual sharpening material is not important as long as it gives a series of shallow grooves across the face of the burnisher. Burnishing the pivot The technique of burnishing is not mastered overnight. Make taper pins until you get the rotation technique down to perfection. When you no longer have flats on the pins you'll know you're getting there. Support the pivot and lay the burnisher flat on the pivot, rotate the wheel towards you while pushing the burnisher away from you.