denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Mar 27, 2022 13:00:59 GMT -5
Hi Rock People, I found this rock in Estes Park, CO near Rocky Mountain National Park. I have no idea what it is or what the hardness is. I'm also not sure if it will fit in my tumbler but if it does... I would like to just shine it up so it looks prettier. I do not want to change the shape. Can I throw it in the tumbler with just some polish? In other words, do only Step 4? I don't think any other rocks will fit, but I can fill it up with ceramic media.
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rmf
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2017
Posts: 1,850
Member is Online
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Post by rmf on Mar 27, 2022 13:21:01 GMT -5
denversue scratch with a knife to see if it scratches. It looks like a rhyolite. There is a lot of granite in Estes Park area. Rhyolite is the same as granite just a smaller crystal size due to more rapid cooling. Looks like a subconcoidal fracture on the center face. Possibly will tumble but it also looks like is has small vugs which could hold grit. No you can't just put it in polish. Polishing happens because you use successively finer grit until your eye can't see the scratches. To maintain the shape you could use ceramic media in that vib tumbler you did not like and just live with the sound for one rock. Start at 220 then go to fine and polish. That will remove the lease amount of material. rotary tumblers round Vib tumblers keep the original shape better
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Mar 27, 2022 13:28:18 GMT -5
Thanks. I got rid of that vibe tumbler; gave it to jasoninsd. Oh, well
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Post by victor1941 on Mar 27, 2022 14:50:29 GMT -5
Denversue, I would remove or epoxy the top crack to keep the crack closed so grit is not trapped during the different tumbling stages. A ultrasonic cleaner might also help in removing grit since you want to keep a natural look. I agree with rmf that the vibe would do a good job. Also, if the size of your specimen is too large for tumbling you can also use any number of sprays, including satin(?), that would make it easier to clean the dust if it is not going to be in an enclosed container.
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Post by victor1941 on Mar 27, 2022 14:50:45 GMT -5
Denversue, I would remove or epoxy the top crack to keep the crack closed so grit is not trapped during the different tumbling stages. A ultrasonic cleaner might also help in removing grit since you want to keep a natural look. I agree with rmf that the vibe would do a good job. Also, if the size of your specimen is too large for tumbling you can also use any number of sprays, including satin(?), that would make it easier to clean the dust if it is not going to be in an enclosed container.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Mar 28, 2022 11:35:05 GMT -5
victor1941 I'm not sure if this is what you meant but I sprayed my rock with satin polyurethane and now it looks bright and shiny
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Post by victor1941 on Mar 28, 2022 14:51:30 GMT -5
Denversue-looks good to me and can be washed. If you don't like the finish use a solvent to remove the polyurethane and try a different nonglossy finish.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Mar 28, 2022 15:35:53 GMT -5
I like the finish
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Post by victor1941 on Mar 29, 2022 9:16:30 GMT -5
Denversue, I have used the same spray on rough rock that I gave to a neighbors child and the spray also holds up quite well. I also use a car repair clear coat spray with UV inhibitor on some cab material that I can't get an even polish on. This material is Needle Peak pompom and has both hard and soft areas.
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