horsinaround
spending too much on rocks
If you don't lick rocks...you ain't cool
Member since November 2006
Posts: 315
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Post by horsinaround on Apr 7, 2009 7:33:15 GMT -5
Hi y'all,
I am currently using AO polish and it does an OK job for tumbling most nay rocks. But it seems to take forever for a really nice shine to come up.
Is there any other polish that may be better ?
Thanks
Steve
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 7, 2009 9:35:07 GMT -5
Depends on what you are tumbling. If you are using the "tumbling grade" AO (usually 3-4 micron) and not getting the desired polish try a better grade (.3-.5 micron). Also, you can try a tripoli or alumina prepolish before your polish. Also find out what your current polish is. If it is really course (a prepolish) you will get exactly the results you described. If you are tumbling agates/jaspers you should get a good polish with most compounds if earlier steps were properly done.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2009 12:26:20 GMT -5
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 7, 2009 15:23:55 GMT -5
My limited personal experience is that the harder the rock the easier it is to polish. Jaspers, agates and quartz (around a 7 on the Mohs scale) take a nice polish with Aluminum Oxide polish. Softer stones come out looking dull and will need additional steps. Generally the more expensive the polish, the smaller the particle size and the finer the finish. The best polish is over $30 a pound.
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