thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jul 17, 2008 9:36:04 GMT -5
My other batches did fine. I don't know what has happened, but the stones come out of pre-polish looking really good, with a shine, and ready for polish. Then I put them in the polish and it makes them worse!
I use a Raytech vibrating tumbler. I had the stones in each stage for three days. I used 120 grit - 600 grit and the polish that comes with the Thumblers Tumbler packets. (Not sure if it is tin oxide or what...)
I have run the batch back through the 600 twice, and even some 800 grit once. They have been tumbled in pre-polish now over five days, and then in polish for two days!!!
The stones appear stained white with a haze, and the finish is between satin and shine. I am tumbling a variety of agate, all hard! It should be the easiest stuff in the world to polish! I do have a couple of tiger-eyes in the batch, and they looked MUCH better out of the pre-polish than they do out of the polish!
I use two separate bowls for tumbling and polishing, and have been quite careful not to cross contaminate the batches.
What could be going wrong?
Thom - HELP!!!
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 17, 2008 11:24:07 GMT -5
I would try a different polish as the 1st troubleshooting step. AO from Rockshed or TXP from Minnisota Lapidary Supply.
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Jul 20, 2008 16:23:59 GMT -5
Man! I switched to cerium oxide and it cleared right up! Beautiful shine! I guess the tin oxide must have gotten contaminated! Thanks for the tip.
Thom Tapp
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 21, 2008 1:11:51 GMT -5
good. pic?
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melanie
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2021
Posts: 3
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Post by melanie on May 28, 2021 12:56:56 GMT -5
I have the white film on my rocks so i decided to try cerium oxide to see if it will clear them up. I just started them but curious how long do i need to let them go for?
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melanie
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2021
Posts: 3
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Post by melanie on May 28, 2021 12:59:39 GMT -5
Also whats the best grit brand to use?
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on May 28, 2021 17:23:09 GMT -5
Also whats the best grit brand to use? I recommend rough 40/70 from either therockshed or Kingsley north. All other (120/220 sic, 500 ao and polish) from therockshed
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Post by Bob on Jun 5, 2021 8:36:49 GMT -5
... some 800 grit once. They have been tumbled in pre-polish now over five days, and then in polish for two days!!!...What could be going wrong? Thom - HELP!!! I suspect the polish is fine and the 2 days was the problem. I run polish for 7 days minimum, then rinse, remove imperfect ones, then repeat polish another 7 days with polish only used for that, then burnish 3 to 10 hours. I recommend not opening a barrel just to inspect before the week has elapsed.
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kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
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Post by kyoti on Jun 9, 2021 18:23:44 GMT -5
My other batches did fine. I don't know what has happened, but the stones come out of pre-polish looking really good, with a shine, and ready for polish. Then I put them in the polish and it makes them worse! I use a Raytech vibrating tumbler. I had the stones in each stage for three days. I used 120 grit - 600 grit and the polish that comes with the Thumblers Tumbler packets. (Not sure if it is tin oxide or what...) I have run the batch back through the 600 twice, and even some 800 grit once. They have been tumbled in pre-polish now over five days, and then in polish for two days!!! The stones appear stained white with a haze, and the finish is between satin and shine. I am tumbling a variety of agate, all hard! It should be the easiest stuff in the world to polish! I do have a couple of tiger-eyes in the batch, and they looked MUCH better out of the pre-polish than they do out of the polish! I use two separate bowls for tumbling and polishing, and have been quite careful not to cross contaminate the batches. What could be going wrong? Thom - HELP!!! I run a Raytech vibe as well and sometimes run into this. For me it's always caused by the slurry getting too thick or dry. Usually because I got home late from work and the slurry needed a bit more water. I normlly run my aluminum polish for 24 hours and do a thickness check every 8-12 hours or so. I also alway use ivory soap shavings in the 500 and polish stages. Hope this helps
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 12, 2021 5:41:13 GMT -5
Thumlers polish can cause problems. Years ago (6 or more) they were supplying a Titanium Oxide (you know the stuff they use to make white paint white!) Technically it is Titanium Dioxide they use for white paint, but you get the idea. I get great results from it but it has to run for a longer time. Also any problem areas will be stained. A burnish stage is a must!
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racermom7
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2021
Posts: 2
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Post by racermom7 on Jun 17, 2021 9:54:14 GMT -5
What do you use for the burnish stage?
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