tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on Feb 18, 2009 16:46:37 GMT -5
I've been doing a ton of looking and I have yet to find anything that spells out what polish is best for what situations. I've found a few opinions. So I ask all of you what do you use and why? Does anyone have link to some information that recommends one polish of another. I've experimented with both Tin Oxide and Aluminum Oxide and I've seen no difference. Maybe this is because of the rocks I tired it on or because I polish using my vibrating tumbler. Any information or opinions are always welcome. As some of you may notice I'm still pretty new for a look at some of my stuff visit the link to the photos forum below. andy321.proboards16.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=trtphoto&thread=28492 |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 18, 2009 17:19:59 GMT -5
For quartz family gems, I don't think you can beat the Rockshed's AO polish for price and the polish you get on your finished stones. I used to use more expensive high grade cerium and sometimes tin oxide ( really expensive) and at least on jasper and agate, the AO does as well or even better than the others...Mel
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Post by catmandewe on Feb 18, 2009 17:56:28 GMT -5
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 19, 2009 16:46:42 GMT -5
Cerium was the standard for agates/jaspers and other hard stone. Tin was used if that didn't work. The tumbler grades of Aluminum (2-4 micron) work pretty much like Cerium. The finer grades (submicron to .5 micron) are advertised as "works like Tin Oxide for less". The really fine (less than .5) will work on soft to hard materials in vibe tumblers as well as rotary and in buffing. The Covington chart Tony mentioned predates the flood of aluminum oxide polishes now available. The only aluminum on it is Lind A which is .3 micron extremely expensive polish.
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Post by llana2go on Feb 19, 2009 19:16:09 GMT -5
I used a generic polish I get from Alamo Rock Shop and it's never met a rock of mine it won't polish - from the feldspar I collected along the RR tracks to the agate/jasper/pet wood and everything else I have polished. The stuff is the best I have ever used.
Price has sure gone up since I bought a couple of #'s a few years ago. I paid $5.20/lb, now it's $8.00.
I have a 3# barrel in ARS polish and a 3# in Cerium Oxide now. I thought I'd run a comparison of the two and see if or how much difference there really is. Will post some pics when they are finished.
llana
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