FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
|
Post by FLrockhound on Jun 2, 2015 14:48:13 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I started tumbling a new batch of chevron amethyst with some pet wood an lace agate. I started about a month ago from 46/70 an just started 500grit on Friday.
Everything looks to be going pretty good so far. I will be using Tripoli for prepolish, I'm just curious as to which polish to use. I have some aluminum oxide and cerium oxide, which of the two would you recommend?
Thank you in advance! Nick
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
|
Post by jamesp on Jun 2, 2015 15:01:55 GMT -5
Polish a loose term in sorts fl. Lot of people using Rock shed's Alum ox 14,000. I have tried a few, for the price and the fine shine it produces you can't go wrong. Rock Shed's AO 500 and AO 1000 are great abrasives too for earlier steps. They seem well graded for the size listed.
Never tried cer ox, many like it for softer rocks. Believe it is great for all rocks though.
|
|
tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
|
Post by tkvancil on Jun 2, 2015 15:23:08 GMT -5
I have used micro-alumina from Kingsley, Rockshed's AO polish, and cerium oxide.
Rockshed's AO has worked best for me.
The micro-alumina also did a good job. Looks great to the naked eye but has a patchy look to it under a loupe.
The cerium is a bust as far as I'm concerned. Used the French cerium (white) and regular cerium (pinkish). Was not impressed with either.
I stick with the AO. It seems to put a shine on anything from obsidian to agate to feldspar.
Sounds like a great batch you've got going. Hope it turns out well.
|
|
FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
|
Post by FLrockhound on Jun 2, 2015 15:35:42 GMT -5
that's what I've learned from Google searches but most of what I've found was from 10 years ago. I'll hold onto cerium ox. for softer stones an use the aluminum oxide for this batch.
I guess I was just curious if possibly I could get a better final polish. Im really taking my time with this batch and not trying to cut corners with everything involved. It's good to know I can come here an get educated an tested responses.
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Jun 4, 2015 0:21:21 GMT -5
FLrockhoundI've got my best polishes using tin oxide. I know it's not on the list of what you have but you might consider getting some next time you restock. Later
|
|
FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
|
Post by FLrockhound on Jun 4, 2015 11:46:53 GMT -5
Thanks Starguy yea I want to start stocking different polishes to try out and experiment with. Tin oxide will be next on my list of supplies.
|
|