masil
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by masil on Sept 2, 2011 11:58:11 GMT -5
Hi All,
We are pretty new to the whole tumbling thing. We have had a couple of what I think for a beginner very successful tumbles. Most of the stuff we find and tumble/polish we find at the beach here in So. Ca. But, my question is for 2 pieces we don't want to tumble. We have found 2 sedimentary rocks that have that have lots of embedded small conic shaped spiral shells. The rocks are rounded from the wave action but not real smooth. If fear if I try to tumble them they are pretty soft and will be ruined. They aren't very large, maybe 1 x 2 inches. Is there something I can coat the rocks with that will give them that permanent wet and shiny look?
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Sept 2, 2011 12:44:21 GMT -5
You're correct in not tumbling your specimens. You can try to spay a clear acrylic on them. Test it first on a similar stone with no value to you.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Sept 2, 2011 12:50:54 GMT -5
Maybe just paint it with "borrowed" clear acrylic nail polish.
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masil
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by masil on Sept 2, 2011 13:03:06 GMT -5
Oh, clear nail polish is a great idea. Now to convince the better half that I need to borrow her nail polish.
Yes dear, uh, I'm painting rocks with it. Yeah, thats the ticket.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Sept 2, 2011 13:41:18 GMT -5
for one to borrow nail polish implies that there will be repayment. Why not just buy your own bottle of nail polish and than there is no need for to convince your better half. LOL. What about dipping the stone in a pail of urethane and allow it to drip dry. Repeat until the level of coverage satisfies you. Stu Hey how about a before and after picture
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Sept 2, 2011 14:00:38 GMT -5
I use Minwax fast-drying spray polyurethane in clear semi-gloss. One can will do a lot of rocks. I did these for my mom a few years ago, could use a new coat.
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masil
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by masil on Sept 2, 2011 15:33:36 GMT -5
I'm thinking that spray polyurethane is the way to go right now. Those look good. Plus, safer, won't have to try and explain to the wifey why I was using her nail polish. :cheesy:
I'll try and take some before and after shots.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Sept 2, 2011 22:10:51 GMT -5
Spray polyurethanes are easy, fast and cheap. If kept outdoors or handled much they will need to be recoated after a few years. If you use an old fashion spar varnish you will never need to recoat it and it makes a much better shine than the sprays. I tried a lot of things over the years on seashells for my wife. For a super shine after it is varnished use some Johnsons Paste Wax on it. It also works wonders on seashells straight from the beach to the wax. I buff small ones with my Dremel. I did the one in the pic with varnish over 20 years ago. Awhile back someone had gotten a small golden bead type object at a yard sale while looking for knives and this one reminds me of it. We call them sharkeyes. Attachments:
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Sept 2, 2011 22:48:53 GMT -5
If my memory serves me right "old fashion spar varnish" turns yellow over time. Minwax spray polyurethane is good. About two years ago I was urethane some woodwork, there was a unusal sandstone near by, it got painted too.Looked real good. Who said you could not make a sandstone shine.
James
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Post by mohs on Sept 2, 2011 23:30:30 GMT -5
good advice above
another idea, maybe, baby oil or mineral oil ?
I have heard of doing that with garden rocks
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Sept 3, 2011 1:23:17 GMT -5
For small rock samples try a Epoxy
When I was in Australia I met one jeweller who used a product called it "Liquid Glass" (made in USA ) he used it on Korit opal and had some excelent results on wire wraps and wire framed Korit
He said he dipped them 3 times to get a good clear coat.
jack yorkshire uk
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Sept 4, 2011 15:20:33 GMT -5
Liquid glass is a great product to use if you can find it. I have had no problem with yellowing using this Minwax varnish on shells. Like said before, spray poly is quick, easy an cheap.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Sept 4, 2011 18:25:48 GMT -5
Clear nail polish costs a dollar so it has the financial advantage, not sure why the wife would object, it isn't a hard to replace item and can be found at every Dollar Tree and drugstore.
That said, I'm going to try the Minimax polyurethane on my shells if Tropical Storm Lee ever lets me get out of the house again...
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masil
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by masil on Sept 7, 2011 11:40:19 GMT -5
The wifey would not object. It was my attempt at humor. I picked up some spray polyurethane and will be trying that in the next day or so.
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