doneall517
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 109
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Post by doneall517 on Dec 25, 2013 0:58:01 GMT -5
I have a quick question on polishing soft rocks.. We are in California and I have been playing around with Serpentine. All I seem to get is a mat shine and would like to get a better shine. Any clues as to accomplish this?? Thanks and wishing all a merry christmas and the best of new years.. Mike
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Dec 25, 2013 3:04:39 GMT -5
That should take a nice polish. All I have done takes a high shine, is it porous or pitted. I have no special way I do mine I use the pixie nothing else get a great shine with it. George
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,809
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Post by Tommy on Dec 25, 2013 11:10:02 GMT -5
Hi Mike what steps (grits) and methods are you already trying?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 25, 2013 11:17:31 GMT -5
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Post by pghram on Dec 30, 2013 11:52:02 GMT -5
I now take everything to 14K diamond. Rarely, I'm not satisfied with the polish, & I'll then use Tin Ox on felt. Sometimes it will pull out a better shine.
Rich
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 31, 2013 16:40:37 GMT -5
I've found that the more small steps you take, the better. Like, 80, 180, 260, 325, 600, 1200, 3000, 6000, 14000 diamond on suede side leather(those are steps I use on the flat lap), with the only variation being at the rough end. Serpentine varies a lot though, so it's hard to say?
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Post by 150FromFundy on Dec 31, 2013 20:32:54 GMT -5
Serpentine is a mineral, but usually refers to a group or family of mineral bearing rocks that vary considerably in composition. That explains the wide variation in colour and apparently also hardness. There is a quarry in Cape Breton Island, NS where many colours are available from one quarry. The red and apple green shine. The white and tans are brittle. The dark green is soft and porous.
You may simply have a non-shine variety if the above suggestions don't work out.
Darryl.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 1, 2014 0:47:21 GMT -5
Tha Covington polish chart says leather with Linde A (0.3micron aluminum oxide) or Tin Oxide for serpentine. Zam will make anything shiny because you are basically coating it with a shiny coating that will wear off later.
Lee #2
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Post by roy on Jan 1, 2014 0:49:52 GMT -5
i think he is trying to tumble them !
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Post by frane on Jan 1, 2014 16:09:34 GMT -5
if you are grinding them, a light touch in the last few wheels will get a great shine, if tumbling, your only hope is to use some cushioning and run a lot longer in the polish than you normally would. Fran
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