polishing a granite boulder

bautio · 09-07-2007, 01:09 PM

Hello all,

I'm polishing the top of a granite boulder as part of a court yard "sculpture." Photo is attached. I've used 3M SandBlaster pads with a 4.5 inch electric grinder with some success. I've noted that diamond dry polishing pads are available but was looking for a recommendation on appropriate tools to continue this process? Thanks, Bob

Huligar · 09-07-2007, 02:54 PM

Well you have a few choices.
1: have a restoration guy come in with a cup wheel as his first grit. The cup wheel will get rid of the indents and make for a better polishing.

2: You can do like most and paint on some ager are any other good color enhancer. this will give the stone depth in color and a sheen.

3: if you want to keep the indents, have a restoration guy use an antique brush to polish the stone.

4: You can also use a natural fiber brush with tin oxide to polish the stone.

Topshop · 09-07-2007, 03:11 PM

You could use the dry pads but wet pads with water would polish it better. Just get a rigid backing pad if you want to level the surfaces out and a flexible backer if you want the wavy surface look. The use of a cup wheel would help get things ground cleaner for a better over all finish when you are done. Some sets of pads you can get a 30 grit pad which will help you get into the stone more too. Run the angle grinder at around 2000 rpm for best results.

bautio · 09-07-2007, 03:37 PM

Thanks to both for suggestions. Bob