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Author Topic: Wet polishing  (Read 1900 times)

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lithicbeads

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Wet polishing
« on: July 20, 2017, 07:07:47 PM »

 Good Earth loaned us his wet sander -grinder and Gergis and I worked on finishing a friends Washington jade slab. It is very low end jade and we expected it to be a problem to polish, little did we know. Greg made the first attempt using new polishing pads and with his knowledge of jade used very little water on the 3,000 and 6,000 grits. The result was not satisfactory. I then repeated the sanding sequence using very worn pads up to 3 and 6 thousand where I had to use new pads. Only a tad better.I then went back and dry sanded the 3,000 and 6,000 grits. This was better but not really polished. Greg hit a few spots with a muslin buff and zam then fabuluster with no change.Next I used a felt buff on the machine  with chrome oxide cream. I had high hopes but no go.In desperation I went back and dry sanded the last three grits,1500. 3,000 and 6,000. I made an excessive amount of passes for most materials and a poor polish finally came up.My advice is to let me buy the jade slab next time.
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Itsandbits

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2017, 08:21:40 PM »

I can only find the pads up to 3000 grit !!! with the resin pads I find that you take them as far as you can and then dry sand as the last step on low rpm with pressure to get heat but just as it grabs, take the polisher off or move it
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rocks and people have a lot in common; one persons "leaverite" is anothers treasure

edgarscale

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2017, 08:36:46 PM »

not sure but i heard you can use a dry leather and then dry buff as the last step on low rpm with pressure to get heat until it grabs. that's suppose to put on a polish?
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50% rockhound and 50% wire wrap
       ='s one great pendant

lithicbeads

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2017, 09:02:42 PM »

That works well on some jades but these are high chlorite jades and are a pain.
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Orrum

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2017, 06:26:32 AM »

I love jade, jade hates me! LOL Yall did a vera good job and stuck with it, I be proud of you!!!
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lithicbeads

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2017, 11:25:23 AM »

That is the key to rock cutting, stick with it until all available possibilities are spent.
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Jhon P

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2017, 12:07:36 PM »

Orrum, you need to talk
To the jade and let it talk to you, you have to show it love and friendship!
I know it can be a a PIA but I love it anyway.
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irockhound

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2017, 12:08:52 PM »

I think the standard procedure for polishing jade is find a creek, throw it in and come back in 30 years to check on the polish!  Make sure it's a creek near my house, I'll check it for you!
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Orrum

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2017, 12:31:41 PM »

Jhon I love it!!!   I have a beautiful slab that I am.currently grinding on to make a ax. When I finish it I intend to do a attempt at Bobby1 style. Grind ell outta it with a worn.out 600 silicon carbide expando dry!!!   If that dont wotk I am gonna get a hired gun!!!   You A Hired gun???
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lithicbeads

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2017, 04:15:47 PM »

 Completely retired thankfully.
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Jhon P

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2017, 05:36:28 PM »

I have had pretty good luck getting a good polish on most jades
There is some that don't want to get more than a satin finish.
I sand with diamond up to 6,000 than polish on leather
With lindi a on leather, let it get a little dry so it drags and
It gets pretty warm but not too hot to touch. And do the polish
Quickly to ovoid orange peel.
 If you can't polish it send if to me and I will have a go
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Orrum

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Re: Wet polishing
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2017, 02:32:10 AM »

It's gonna be a nice ax. I would be totally happy with a smooth satin finish. I saw a ax at a lapidary show. Incredible! Thanks Jhon I will get er done!
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