Burnishing Polished Stones or Glass in a Rock Tumbler

http://RockTumbler.com If you have tumbled some rocks or glass in a rock tumbler a final burnishing step can significantly improve their luster. The burnishing step is a final tumble in a heavy soap solution.

We use some grated Ivory bar soap but other people have success using Tide and Ivory Snow powdered detergents. Just add about one tablespoon of grated soap or soap powder per pound of rock, add enough water to almost reach the top of the stones and tumble for a few hours.

To determine if burnishing is needed we do a quick buffing test of rubbing a polished rock rapidly on a soft cloth to see if the luster is improved. If the buffing improves the luster then burnishing will probably increase the luster of the stones.

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Howto & Style

Tags:

• burnishing
• rock
• tumbler
• stones
• polished