Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper

chris1956
driving up their electric bill

Member since July 2022
Posts: 2,411

Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper Aug 18, 2023 19:46:27 GMT -5

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Post by chris1956 on Aug 18, 2023 19:46:27 GMT -5

I have several rocks that I collected while in college that have various amounts of copper included in them. The rocks were sawed and then polished to one degree or another.

What is the best way to seal the cut and polished surfaces so that the copper won't tarnish? I think one of them had nail polish applied to it 40 years ago and somewhere along the line air got into it and it has almost all tarnished. I tried spraying polyurethane on another one (maybe it is my skill level) but the results weren't very even (I think the rock portion sucks up whatever you put on it and the copper doesn't at all).

The rocks range in size from about 1.5 x 2 inches to about 6 x 8 inches.

Thanks for any advice,

Chris

vegasjames
no longer being taken for granite

Member since June 2013
Posts: 9,567

Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper Aug 18, 2023 20:50:52 GMT -5

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Post by vegasjames on Aug 18, 2023 20:50:52 GMT -5

I would use a buffing wheel charged with just a little Zam and buff the cut surfaces. The Zam polishes the surface and seals the stone at the same time. Don't add too much Zam as this will wax the surface too much leaving a dull finish.

liveoak still telling self it's just a hobby Member since January 2022 Posts: 4,702	Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper Aug 19, 2023 6:31:11 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by liveoak on Aug 19, 2023 6:31:11 GMT -5 I use Renaissance wax on copper, never tried it on copper inclusions in a rock. No buffing wheel needed, just a soft rag. Patty
	"The Lyf so Short, the Craft so Long to Lerne" - G. Chaucer www.liveoakstudios.us goimagine.com/liveoakstudios/

jasoninsd
can identify rocks - even green ones

I Wish I Knew Half The Stuff I Thought I Knew 30 Years Ago!

Member since July 2020
Posts: 18,424

Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper Aug 19, 2023 7:41:32 GMT -5

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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 19, 2023 7:41:32 GMT -5

Interesting you bring this question up. I was talking with a friend of mine the other day (use to be real active on the forum) and he was asking me the same question. The only thing I could think of was possibly sealing it with Art Resin. I haven't tried that...just pondering if that would/wouldn't work...

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chris1956 driving up their electric bill Member since July 2022 Posts: 2,411	Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper Aug 20, 2023 8:00:07 GMT -5 jasoninsd and liveoak like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by chris1956 on Aug 20, 2023 8:00:07 GMT -5 Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to start trying these.

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Help Needed with Sealing Rock Specimens with Exposed Copper

Post by chris1956 on Aug 18, 2023 19:46:27 GMT -5

Post by vegasjames on Aug 18, 2023 20:50:52 GMT -5

Post by liveoak on Aug 19, 2023 6:31:11 GMT -5

Post by jasoninsd on Aug 19, 2023 7:41:32 GMT -5

Post by chris1956 on Aug 20, 2023 8:00:07 GMT -5

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