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Post by fernwood on Oct 7, 2018 5:36:38 GMT -5
There has been a lot of questions and advice on the best way to clean rocks between stages on the RTH Facebook group. There is also a lot here in various threads.
So, how does everyone clean their rocks between stages to ensure no grit carryover? Do you do an additional tumbling time for cleaning after the final polish? What do you use? What did you try and found it did not work great?
On the first two stages, I started using a soft toothbrush to scrub all rocks that had potential hiding places for grit. The ran them under water. After pre-polish and polish I have been running a 4-24 hour detergent tumble. Learned to rinse and rub the detergent off the rocks. Found that some detergents leave a residue on the rocks.
Share away.....
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 7, 2018 8:10:34 GMT -5
I am sure clean outs are one place that we all have a different approach on. Here's a glimpse at mine.
Rotary Stage one (46/70): thoroughly rinse grit off in a colander by dumping water over them with one hand while swishing the rocks around with the other. Sort rocks into 4 groups. Stay in stage one, move onto stage two, grind or saw, And throw away. The only rocks that will get special cleaning attention are ones that I plan to move on with an imperfection or crystal pocket. For those special rocks I use high pressure water.
Lot-o All other stages including polish: At the end of the run I add about a half a cup of water and some dawn dish soap and let that run about 15 minutes. Thoroughly rinse grit/polish off in a colander by dumping water over them with one hand while swishing the rocks around with the other. Place rocks into a bowl full of hot water and swish them for a final rinse. Any rocks with imperfections get the high pressure water rinse.
Chuck
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Post by fernwood on Oct 7, 2018 8:33:35 GMT -5
Hey, thanks @drummond Island Rocks for contributing. I have been referring a lot of people on the RTH Facebook page here for advice. Hope others will contribute and this thread becomes a go to place for how to properly clean rocks between stages and have beautiful end results.
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Post by miket on Oct 7, 2018 9:53:09 GMT -5
I'd love to contribute but sadly I'm still waiting... I do have a barrel of agates and a barrel of wood in the second stage. Finally! But I know that i have definitely come to the right place, there is a host of wonderful, knowledgeable and helpful people to guide me along the way. Just wanted the fine people here on RTH to know that they are appreciated! 😎
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