finishing chlorite

["Stacy Shure" <shurefamily@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hi Gary:

I responded to you privately as well - regarding anydrite, I usually never
sand past 600.   This stone polishes very easily and 800 makes it too
reflective and shiny (mostly on the whites - silver and darker anyhydrites
you have to test).  I seal with 511 penetrator.  You can find that very
inexpensively at Home Depot now.  Then I buff with my white rouge bar.  That
will give you a high shine and beautiful polish.  I use  a penetrating
sealer because anhydrite (especially the white) easily picks up oils and
dirt and the surface particles can sometimes degrade over time.  You will
see that areas near the surface are lightening up, so to speak, especially
if the edge is sharp and holds a fine line.  It is  most noticable with the
white anhydrite.

Chlorite I dont always seal.  If I do, I use a mixture of terpentine and
linseed oil and then finish with a buffing wheel after it's dry.  I find
this mixture works especially well on darker stones.  I don't use acrylic
sealers because I want the stone to breath.  I also fear that UV light will
turn the acrylic sealers yellow, or change color over time.  Touching up the
stone then becomes a bigger job.  And I am finding that my older scultpures
do need some touching up over time and some "refreshing".  I'm talking about
smaller sculptures that are tabletop pieces.

Hope this helps.

Stacy