valorguy
starting to shine!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 28
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Post by valorguy on Apr 2, 2023 22:57:51 GMT -5
I seem to have a lot of less than perfect material with a micro fracture here and there, and the aluminum oxide or chromium oxide just won't come out easily....
I have a ultrasonic cleaner, but this doesn't always work....
Am I just doing something wrong, or do i basically need to just understand this will always be with less than perfect materials?
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2023 6:57:06 GMT -5
A lot of people will use a dental water pik...
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CLErocks
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 342
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Post by CLErocks on Apr 3, 2023 7:12:47 GMT -5
I was planning of trying my water pic when the weather warmed up a little. Built my Ikea outdoor sink, and am ready for another summer of churning out the rocks.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,237
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Post by quartzilla on Apr 4, 2023 21:44:10 GMT -5
My best way is not to get the polish in there if possible. I have lots of material like yours and when running the polish run in my mini sonic I add a little Metamucil with it, which was a tip from another member here. It really does seem to keep the polish in suspension and prevent it from getting in the cracks as much. I also run stones that need extra help in a sonic cleaner like you use for jewelry.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,556
Member is Online
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Post by jamesp on Apr 5, 2023 13:49:14 GMT -5
Main rule is to not let it get too dry. But wet enough to have a pasty slurry. Use about 1 tablespoon of polish per 4 pounds of rock. Too much polish is an invitation for impaction. I use sugar as thickener instead of Borax with polish in vibe. Warm water dissolves the sugar and releases impacted polish. quartzilla's idea of Metamucil sounds like the way. For dark stones softer iron oxide can be added to the polish to darken it if impaction continues. lite colored stones - white polish, dark stones - dark polish My vibe hopper is steel and it often sheds rust to the polish, so the finding.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 8, 2023 12:18:09 GMT -5
Too much polish as others have said. Also you need to think about the cracks in the first place. I strive to eliminate as many cracks as possible (not always feasible). I usually finish my polishes in the mini-sonic. I use a 1/2 TEASPOON of AO polish and 1/2 TABLESPOON Borax for the 4 lb barrel (yes you read that correctly). My runs tend to be 4 to 5 days. Then I empty the barrel and rinse everything real good (even scrubbing with a toothbrush) and put everything back in and run a soap rinse for an hour or so. Rinse again and then burnish with 1/2 tablespoon of borax overnight. Then I add some liquid dish soap and run for an hour. Rinse well and dry. I have been running a lot of angular stones lately (Carnelian agate and Chalcedony Roses) and have not had any problems with polish remaining in the cracks and crevices.
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markymark
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2015
Posts: 395
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Post by markymark on Apr 17, 2023 21:16:23 GMT -5
The best way that I have found to get the grit and polish out is to use a textile spotting gun. They are extremely powerful and relatively cheap. Always use a thick pair of gloves when holding the rock as the water jet is extremely powerful.
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