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Author Topic: Cleaning polish off a cab  (Read 2138 times)

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Mossagatemac

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Cleaning polish off a cab
« on: February 13, 2020, 09:05:17 PM »

Hi everyone, I'm still getting the hang of cabbing and would appreciate some advice.  When I do my final polish, if the stone has some pitting or maybe some undercutting, the stone seems to picks up some of the polish. It shows up as little white dots and doesn't wash off very well. 

Any techniques to avoid this?  Or how to clean it off after it happens?

I'm using micro alumina on leather.  Specifically Covington gold #2. 
 
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Felicia

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2020, 09:52:35 PM »

That can be hard to remove. A fine brush and soap; try something fizzy, maybe carbonated water. I hate it when that happens.
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Shifter55

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2020, 11:26:42 PM »

If mechanical cleaning like fine brushes or soda water doesn't work... maybe Sodium Hydroxide cleaner? I know it attacks aluminium, but it's nasty stuff and you should wash everything it touches with detergent after using.
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Felicia

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2020, 06:02:18 AM »

Also if going the chemical route - depending on the stone, rub in some sodium bicarbonate and add pour on a little vinegar. If desperate, some ink or watercolor, rub in, rinse surface. Lol
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lithicbeads

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2020, 08:09:27 AM »

A classic case for an ultrasonic cleaner.
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Mossagatemac

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2020, 10:18:51 AM »

Thanks I'll give some of those a try.

Can you recommend any techniques to prevent this?  Maybe use a different polish or technique or something? 
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lithicbeads

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2020, 12:07:37 PM »

Stop using oxide polishes.
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Mossagatemac

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2020, 02:05:02 PM »

Quote
Stop using oxide polishes.

What would you recommend? 
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yukonjade

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2020, 04:55:12 PM »

  Rub the stone with a bar of soap before pre polish the soap will fill the cavities,polish stone and wash clean. :brushteeth:
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irockhound

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2020, 06:47:42 PM »

i was going to say wax would do similar.  Another option is seal the pores prior to 1200 grit with either Super glue or other sealant (hxtal, Opticon etc..)  Stones like Sagenite and Rutilated Quartz that are famous for picking up ozides in the ends of the needles often need this type of treatment.
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PhilNM

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2020, 08:41:51 PM »

ultrasonic cleaner
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womanwithatorch

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2020, 10:51:33 AM »

from Rock&Gem June 2019 "Bench Tips":ultrasonic with dish soap and ammonia. Also from the article: not for opal or porous stones.
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"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I might learn how to do it." Pablo Picasso

bobby1

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2020, 11:11:12 AM »

Definitely the ultrasonic. It just takes a few seconds to get the polish out but you must not let the polish dry out before you start any cleaning activities.  I wrote the article.

Bob
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victor1941

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2020, 08:07:57 AM »

I would use a ultrasonic cleaner as a first choice but a dry cleaning spot cleaner might also work. The spot cleaner was about $50 a few years ago.
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Opal Mike

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Re: Cleaning polish off a cab
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2020, 09:53:14 PM »

Luckily for me my darling wife lashed out and bought herself a new ultrasonic for her jewellery workshop, and gave me her old one....definitely is the go!
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