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Feb 9, 2009 9:22:19 GMT -5
Post by texaswoodie on Feb 9, 2009 9:22:19 GMT -5
On my last camping trip to AR I picked up some dendritic quartz. I think it makes a great cab, but I can't get a polish on it. At the present time, I can only go to 3000 grit. What do you guys use to polish quartz? Curt
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Feb 9, 2009 9:50:20 GMT -5
Post by highplainsdrifter on Feb 9, 2009 9:50:20 GMT -5
Very nice looking stone, you could try diamond paste.
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Feb 9, 2009 10:54:02 GMT -5
Post by MikeS on Feb 9, 2009 10:54:02 GMT -5
I've had good luck on quartz with aluminium oxide in a vibe....you'll have to fill the vibe up with quartz, I usually let it run 1-2 weeks on quartz, so you'll have to start with some extra water and check it every day. For hand polishing, I have found that cerium oxide on a wet leather pad works the best, but it does take some time and you have to clean a bit of haze off the cab when you are done....
MikeS
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Feb 9, 2009 12:51:33 GMT -5
Post by pebblepup on Feb 9, 2009 12:51:33 GMT -5
The best polish for quartz that I have found is cerium oxide. I find that somewhat on the dryer side on leather has worked best for me, felt has also been very good but wears out quickly. I have also used the cerium oxide belts from Santa Fe Jewelry Supply to do a fantastic job.
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Feb 9, 2009 16:20:47 GMT -5
Post by akansan on Feb 9, 2009 16:20:47 GMT -5
Nice stone! I can see why you'd want to polish it up.
How much of a shine does it have after 3000?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Feb 9, 2009 16:24:22 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2009 16:24:22 GMT -5
Ive also had good luck with cerium. Sometimes if you let the polish dry up enough to where its "grabbing" the cab, it will shine it up even better. you have to be careful though..........the cab will heat up quick.
Shannon
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,463
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Feb 9, 2009 16:51:37 GMT -5
Post by Sabre52 on Feb 9, 2009 16:51:37 GMT -5
Yep, I've had best luck with optical grade cerium like is used to polish lenses. I agree with Shannon too. I like to let the leather pad dry just enough that the stone develops drag against the wheel and it seem to pull a shine right out on the stone....Mel
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Feb 9, 2009 18:40:07 GMT -5
Post by texaswoodie on Feb 9, 2009 18:40:07 GMT -5
Thanks guys! I would sure like to get a mirror shine on this.
Ronda It's got a fair shine after 3000, but I would really like to get a mirror out of it.
Curt
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Feb 9, 2009 22:16:05 GMT -5
Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Feb 9, 2009 22:16:05 GMT -5
Diamond paste, and wow that is some cool looking quartz. Got any extra?
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Feb 10, 2009 7:35:05 GMT -5
Post by Tonyterner on Feb 10, 2009 7:35:05 GMT -5
Quartz, my old bane. I haven't had the chance to try the cerium yet but I'm hoping that does the trick for me. As far as other methods I've used wet diamond belts to 14,000 with poor results and I've used diamond paste on resin belts up to 50,000 with the same bad results. Let us know how it works out.
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Feb 10, 2009 20:12:27 GMT -5
Post by frane on Feb 10, 2009 20:12:27 GMT -5
Oh Curt! That is a very pretty cab! I sure hope you are able to get the shine you want. That one deserves a glass finish. Fran
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