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Author Topic: Using ZAM polish ?  (Read 3601 times)

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John Robinson

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Using ZAM polish ?
« on: August 15, 2017, 09:31:35 AM »

Hello,
I feel stupid in asking this but I am trying to use ZAM for the first time. I have only used diamond and cerium oxide polishes before. The ZAM I have is a rock in a tube. It is very hard but I managed to knock off a chunk of it with a hammer and chisel and now I can not get anything like a powder, just lots of little hard rocks. How does one turn ZAM into a powder for polishing?
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Gergis

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2017, 09:45:30 AM »

It's not crushed into powder but rather used in conjunction with a muslin buffer. You put the zam lightly to the muslin and "charge" it. Then put your stone to the buffer and spot check it and if working properly go ahead and buff away.

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Gergis

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2017, 09:46:50 AM »

Also I usually only use it with green or dark stones as it can stain otherwise. Hope that helps ya! :-)

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Orrum

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2017, 05:45:56 PM »

It's also my go to for picasso marble.
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John Robinson

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2017, 07:22:03 PM »

Thanks all, I posted this on the wrong board so I was not expecting a response. I am trying to polish turquoise for the first time and I might stick with cerium oxide and try a final buffing with the ZAM to see if I notice any difference the buffing makes
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Redrummd

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2017, 11:05:12 PM »

I sand Turquoise to a sheen on a really worn 1200 grit NOVA wheel and then go heavily ZAM charged buffing whhel with a very light touch.  I use a 1 inch wide 120 layer cotton buffing wheel.  The Turquoise goes to a mirror like polish in literally a few seconds......

Orrum

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2017, 04:41:15 AM »

X2 Michael.
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edgarscale

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2017, 06:55:30 PM »

my zam is rock hard.  is that normal?  can i still continue to use it?
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50% rockhound and 50% wire wrap
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Redrummd

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2017, 07:50:06 PM »

my zam is rock hard.  is that normal?  can i still continue to use it?

As long as it sticks to a buffing wheel it is usable. I have never had one become unusable.

lithicbeads

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2017, 08:26:02 PM »

I have used ancient zam from old friends stores and it is fine and it was open tubes for decades. These type polishes were very popular years ago.
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edgarscale

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2017, 07:41:01 PM »

i'm really glad to her this.  i hate to throw away good stuff.  thanks..
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50% rockhound and 50% wire wrap
       ='s one great pendant

Steve Ramsdell

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Re: Using ZAM polish ?
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2017, 04:31:29 PM »

Zam is good for many softer stones.  It also does a good job on silver.  Put your buff on a polishing arbor.  Start it up and touch the zam to the buff lightly.  If the buff is clean you should see the buff pick up the green color.  Don't put on too much.  Finally, remember you are doing cutting and there is no coolant.  That stone will heat up fast.  Touch it to your forearm once in a while to judge the heat.  If it  gets too hot it gets undoped and flies across the room.
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