kbrocks
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2006
Posts: 78
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Post by kbrocks on Aug 20, 2008 5:59:29 GMT -5
Ok, as the title says I'm looking for advice on what kind of polish I should use.
My problem is I had a really good polish up until last year. I had gotten a large bag, so it lasted me a while. Well, of course I ran out and could not remember where I had gotten it or what the name of the polish was.
So I took a chance and bought something different. This new polish I am using is aweful! Out of the last 4 tumbles, about 90% of my don't even take the polish. I got this because it was supposed to be a good all around polish, since my tumbles are usually a mixed batch.
After the first couple batches that looked like crap, I made sure to clean the polish barrel, and all my stones before starting the cycle. I was also using brand new pellets.
Anyway, I need a good polish that works with a large variety of stones. What do you think?
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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 Aug 20, 2008 6:25:00 GMT -5
I had the same problem and switched from the stuff that came in my "kit" to cerium oxide. That stuff makes my agate look like wet glass!!!
Thom Tapp
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Post by Noosh9057 on Aug 20, 2008 6:44:56 GMT -5
Yes Cerium oxide works very good. I also use Aluminum Oxide polish. It also works very good.
Roger
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Aug 20, 2008 7:34:53 GMT -5
After the polish stage, do`s any one save there final polish mud and let settle, Tell the water is clear and pour of water and let it dry out and reuse it again.
i use to get cerium from auto glass shops though my source has drop out of business.
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Post by akansan on Aug 20, 2008 7:59:58 GMT -5
A lot of us here use Aluminum Oxide from the Rockshed. It works terrific and is less messy than some of the other polishes.
And like lapidaryrough mentioned, you can reuse your polish quite successfully. In fact, I get my best results when I use 3/4 old polish and 1/4 new polish.
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kbrocks
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2006
Posts: 78
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Post by kbrocks on Aug 20, 2008 8:00:07 GMT -5
Thank you, that's just what I needed to know. I guess I got a batch of cheap stuff.
As lapidaryrough's question, I used to reuse my polish. Actually, as long as I was careful and washed all my stones very well before polishing, I would reuse the polish and water and everything. I just made sure not to contaminate the polish or water. That seemed to work very well, until of course I got this crappy brand or batch of polish.
Thanks
Bobby
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 20, 2008 8:31:29 GMT -5
If you buy aluminum oxide ask for the micron rating. The better ones are .5 micron or less. There are a lot of 1 to 6 micron that are more for prepolish. Cerium comes in standard, optical grade and super (or French) with price increasing with each grade.
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lynskyn1970
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 93
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Post by lynskyn1970 on Aug 20, 2008 13:16:38 GMT -5
i actually use cerium oxide as a prepolish and then i finish mine off with tin oxide and plastic pellets for the final polish. it is one more extra step but i get great results that way.
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Aug 21, 2008 17:34:48 GMT -5
My all-time favorite is Rapid Polish#61.It is an A.O. base and .3 microns.I believe this is now proprietory to Mn. Lap.-- www.lapidarysupplies.com toll free 1-888-612-3444.Mike. |
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