[meteorite-list] How Far to Polish a chrondritic slice?

From: SSachs9056_at_aol.com <SSachs9056_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:08:23 2004
Message-ID: <16c.137a5602.2aaeb279_at_aol.com>

Hi Mark and List,

I have found that using a vibrating sander with 1000 grit (after using the
600) usually brings it to the luster that most of the pieces I have purchased
over the years.

I also have tried with some luck a product called: Tile Lab - Marble
Refinishing Kit. The kit contains two bottles of polishing creme, and a small
bottle of stone gloss. It's a three step process. I use a cloth diaper, (no
snickering please) cut into squares, that fit the vibrating sander. You may
wish to cover the rubber plate on the sander with Saran wrap, in that the
polishing cremes are wet. It's found usually at ACE Hardware, True Value, and
other large hardware chains.

I have found the luster to be just short of using a rock tumbler / buffer.

For that matter----I have never seen a meteorite to this day, that had the
same shine as a cabochon, polished to a glass shine using lapiday equipment.
I have an old Odessa iron, purchased from Haag---that was tumbled. Very
interesting...but still fight the rust battle on that one as well.

Best of Luck,

Steven L. Sachs - IMCA # 9210

http://www.geocities.com/gangwise/meteorite.html
Received on Mon 09 Sep 2002 10:27:05 PM PDT