Hey
guys, I just have to throw my two cents in here. There are lots of loose grain
polishing media for marble and similar stone available in the world. Oxalic
acid, aluminum oxide, tin oxide, cerium oxide, potassium oxalate, magnesium
fluorosilicates, and the list goes on and on. The fact is that 5X powder is
the most popular polishing media for calcareous based stones in the world. Why
you ask? It is because it contains a special blend of some of the above
mentioned raw materials. Basically, 5X bricks (in the solid form) are used at
most every slab and tile marble production facility that I have seen.
All
of this being said and as we all know by now, some stones react differently
than others to specific polishing media and that is why there is no substitute
for experience. It is good to have some of the other polishing media available
(on the truck). For instance, can everyone immediately tell the difference
between Botticino Fioritto and Botticino Classico? I know that after over 40
years in this business, I can’t always do that. Fioritto does not react well
to acidic polishing media. Classico does fine. So restoration contractors
should have some oxalic acid, aluminum oxide, tin oxide, and maybe a few
specialty pre-blended powders on the truck to spike or reduce the acidic level
of their 5X or to just substitute for some hard to polish materials.
Adjustments on the fly are necessary many times. However, I would say that 90%
of the time a premium 5X product (or 5X based product like polishing compound)
will do the job quickly and cost effectively while producing
superior results. The issue becomes the quality of the 5X. The best 5X is
the Stonecare Pro which you all have very low cost access too. It is
ball-milled and is very fine, not gritty and clumpy. 5X can be used with more
water or less, just like any other polishing medium. More weight or less. More
passes or fewer. It all depends on the stone.
So
when I hear people say they have been using an inferior product for many
years, I have to question why? More refined better quality abrasives normally
cost a little more than inferior products but in this case, the Stonecare Pro
5X is one of the most cost effective polishing medias for marble available
anywhere. Also any new polishing powders or compounds are really not new, you
see. It is someone’s “special” blend of the already existing materials.
Hi
Stu, just remembered this as I have to re order polishing powder. I get
the Tenax 5x for $15 per kg.
Only
MB I have seen here is MB11 for $68 per 180 grams. That’s crazy. I know MB 12
is a better product, but unless a TSP replaces several ounces of the 5x then
it is a losing proposition. Shipping is crazy, so now I am remembering how I
ended up here…stuck with the 5x and just making it work.
From: list-manager@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com [mailto:list-manager@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of
stuart rosen
Sent: Tuesday, 9 December 2014 7:59
AM
To: sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com
Subject:
Re: countertops/vanities pricing
Give me your address I will send some
MB12 for you to try.
Goes well with a couple of pieces of dull
stone and a cold Fosters Lager
I think you will have some fun with
it.
On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 4:44 PM, Mike
Marsoun <nulifesc@bigpond.com>
wrote:
Thanks stu. I'll get some mb12. I find
that a 400 Genisis gets everything usually and easier to transition to resins.
The only reason I hone so high is because of the 5x being more difficult to
pop a shine at 800. Hard to find good products here and super expensive. My
go-to is the Tenax 5x because it is easily available and
cheap.
Sent from my iPhone
I hate to see anyone lower their pricing
but if you get $1200 for a sixty sq ft kitchen you could lower your rate
some.
Seems like you do a lot of steps-just
curious why do you skip the 220 grit?
You could use a faster
process-start with a 220 genesis where there is etched or worn
areas.
You could go right to 220 resin or in
some cases 400 resin then go to 800 and polish with a dry polishing
powder. Why waste all that time using 5x on a countertop if you don't
have to. In most cases a product like MB12 will give you great results
quickly.
On Sat, Dec 6, 2014 at 2:02 AM, Mike
Marsoun <nulifesc@bigpond.com>
wrote:
What do you guys charge for countertops? I have been at $200m2
($20sf) for a long time, seems to work but I have a large commercial job I
am bidding and was wondering how low I could go. Usually I go 400
genisis (electroplated) dry, then 120r, 400r, 800r 1800r, then5x. I will
stop ar 800r sometimes but I rather do a quick pass with the diamonds than
have to go hard with the powder.
Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription
preferences:
http://stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com/sccpartners
Start a new conversation (thread):
sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com
--
Regards,
Stu
Rosen
201-446-1200
Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription
preferences:
http://stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com/sccpartners
Start a new conversation (thread):
sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com
--
Regards,
Stu
Rosen
201-446-1200
Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription
preferences:
http://stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com/sccpartners
Start a new conversation (thread):
sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com
Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription
preferences:
http://stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com/sccpartners
Start a new conversation (thread):
sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.simplelists.com