ohmandyb
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 43
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Post by ohmandyb on May 18, 2010 7:56:21 GMT -5
:help:
I am new somewhat to tumbling. I must have had a batch that had alot of pits. After taking them out of the polish stage the polish powder is sticking to the pits. Is there anything I can use to get this out. I have a few stones that are really pretty and would be much better if I could get the white out of the pits. Thanks so much.
Tink
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Post by jakesrocks on May 18, 2010 8:27:49 GMT -5
You might try putting them back in the tumbler for a day. Just water, lots of plastic pellets and a little bit of low sudsing laundry detergent. Good old fashioned Ivory flakes seems to work the best for me. This is called the burnishing stage. It should get rid of stuck on polish, and will also increase the polish on your rocks. Be sure to rinse them good afterwords.
Don
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Post by deb193redux on May 18, 2010 10:04:42 GMT -5
Yes, burnishing is the 1st step. BTW, t woks better if the rocks are not allowed to dry after polish. When dry, the polish can set like cement.
Ultrasonic cleaner or sonic toothbrush might help if polish is partly set.
If the pitts are deep and/or the cement has set, you many need to go back and grind the pits down to free the polish, or try something that will dissolve the polish before it dissolves the polished silica surface. You could add a few drops of vinegar or even Coke soda. Just a bit thought because acid in stronger concentrations is what is used to etch frosted designs onto agates and jaspers and quartz.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on May 18, 2010 11:38:10 GMT -5
As a last resort before going back to pre-polish you can try denture cleaning tablets in water (in an open container).
Dr Joe
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ohmandyb
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 43
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Post by ohmandyb on May 18, 2010 13:19:50 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I am going to try the soap thing. I dont have any ivory but I will try a tad bit of purex liquid. I wish I had not let them dry. I might have to throw them in again as you suggested. I really thank everyone for the great knowledge. I am sure they will really be beautiful now!
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on May 22, 2010 12:24:10 GMT -5
If burnishing doesn't do the trick, I then use an electric toothbrush and dish soap to get stubborn grit, slurry, polish, etc. out of cracks crevices and pits...it works well.
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tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on May 22, 2010 16:55:58 GMT -5
I usually tumble all my rough in the first stage until there are no more pits. If the burnish doesn't remove the packed in polish Try using an Ultra Sonic jewelry cleaner. I did this once before for a friend of mine and it seemed to work good.
Tom
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on May 28, 2010 21:13:43 GMT -5
I am new to tumbling but I used 20 mule team borax, and it made a great differance in my rocks...
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 29, 2010 4:10:27 GMT -5
Hi Tink,
Try getting the pits out if at all possible, they will always be a problem in carrying grits along a real Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr problem
Ive tried Borax when you get to the final stage also Muric acid (brick cleaner , water heater descaler) BUT be very carefull and use outside the fumes are the problem
I do a 48hr borax stage it burnishes as well as cleans the rocks come out semi polished,
Jack
Yorkshire uk
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