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Rock Art => Tumbling => Topic started by: Mako My Day on March 16, 2020, 06:09:26 PM

Title: Tumbling marble
Post by: Mako My Day on March 16, 2020, 06:09:26 PM
So, I tumbled some marble that we found outside of El Paso. It smoothed out nicely, but when I completed the polish tumbling, it is very dull. When it’s wet, it has very vibrant colors, but as it dries, it’s dull city. Any suggestions on how to get a good shine? Thanks
Title: Re: Tumbling marble
Post by: irockhound on March 16, 2020, 07:03:49 PM
Is the marble mixed with hard and soft areas or are you tumbling it with any other material?  If there are any pockets for grit to hide that will mess up your polish run.  Include a pic of the marble so we can see what you are working with.
Title: Re: Tumbling marble
Post by: lithicbeads on March 16, 2020, 07:49:08 PM
I assume you are using a rotary tumbler.The aggressiveness of the tumbler is too much for the stone. For shaping aggressiveness is fine but for a polish  slowing the tumbler down and critically adding a buffer in with the rocks is crucial. Many people use plastic pellets to cushion the rocks from one another. Lowering the ph can help with any stone ( or raising it radically) but it is especially helpful with any calcite base stone.Use lots of plastic pellets and do the stones in two batches and use vinegar instead of water with the polish.
Title: Re: Tumbling marble
Post by: Mako My Day on March 17, 2020, 05:24:14 AM
Using a vibratory tumbler, only the same material in the tumbler, seems like there is mixed material in each stone
Title: Re: Tumbling marble
Post by: Mako My Day on March 17, 2020, 05:24:53 AM
Picture 2 when stone is wet
Title: Re: Tumbling marble
Post by: Rustycat on March 17, 2020, 09:28:06 AM
Here's a Youtube link that I found informative and if you haven't viewed it yet, I'd recommend it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrl30hGrzQ4
Title: Re: Tumbling marble
Post by: lithicbeads on March 17, 2020, 04:50:06 PM
If the harder layers are beating up the softer areas you have to buff it by hand. Fabuluster on a muslin buff works. You may never get  a wet looking polish on the soft areas. Are the harder areas taking a better finish?