1. Fax: 707-877-3566 •• Toll Free Order Desk: 800-245-5611 •• Information: 707-877-3570
Restoration, Repair, & Finishing Supplies
ROTTENSTONE
(premium grey, 1 lb.)
for
Fine Furniture FINISHING,
POLISHING, and CLEANING
Premium Grey Rottenstone is used to make antiquing
wax and to patinate gilt and gilt finishes, to dust mats
in the framing trade.
An excellent recipe for glass polish
(from The Framer’s Answer Book
by Paul Frederick) is:
1 Pint methanol or isopropanol alcohol
2 Tablespoons Rottenstone
1 Tablespoon Ivory liquid
Shake together
in a gallon jug filled with water.
Use for polishing glass, the water & alcohol
dissolves dirt and grease, the rottenstone polishes and
the liquid detergent acts as an anti-static.
Rottenstone is used as the final rubbing compound to
obtain a high gloss finish on lacquer, varnish, and
shellac surfaces. All Rubbing operations should take
place after the film finish is completely cured. Used
with furniture polish as a carrier, rottenstone can
remove difficult dirt and grime from furniture and
woodwork.
DIRECTIONS For Polishing Use
Prepare the surface properly with LIBERON Supplies
Pumice. If oil was used for rubbing down the surface,
allow it to harden for one week before proceeding
with the ROTTENSTONE polishing. For shellac
finishes use only oil as a lubricant for polishing,
(shellac is not waterproof).
For other surfaces choose water or oil to lubricate the
surface. Water will give a slightly more aggressive
action. Use Paraffine Oil or Mineral Oil or, the lighter
viscosity, Rubbing Lubricant when using an oil
carrier.
Using a felt rubbing block at least 1/2 inch thick soak
the lubricant into the pad, (or stretch thinner felt over
a wooden block to obtain the necessary flat surface)
and dip the block into the rottenstone. (An old felt
hat cut and folded into the appropriate size and shape
is a good solution for difficult shapes or surfaces).
On horizontal surfaces, the rottenstone may be
sprinkled on with a shaker can. Using moderate
pressure rub with the grain using long strokes.
Inspect the work frequently as to guard against
cutting through the finish. Continue until the desired
surface and gloss is obtained. Wipe the sludge away
with a soft damp cloth.
If oil is used finish off the surface wiping with a cloth
dampened with naptha to remove all traces of the oil.
Allow the finish to sit and harden for 4 to 8 hours.
Apply a protective coat of wax and the finish with a
soft cloth and BLACK BISON™ Cabinetmakers
Liquid or Paste Wax Polish. (Do Not Use Polishing
Products Containing Silicones)
ROTTENSTONE (or 6/0 PUMICE, for less sheen) is
a very good cleaner for grimy dirty furniture, use
BLACK BISON™ Liquid Wax, Rubbing Lubricant,
or Wood Cleaner & Wax Remover as a lubricant for
cleaning finished wood surfaces.
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See reverse for
Pumice Rubbing Procedures
LIBERON™/starstar™Supplies, P.O. Box 86, Mendocino, CA 95460 • 707-877-3570
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2. PUMICEPUMICEPUMICEPUMICEPUMICE
for
Hand rubbing of Gloss furniture finishes to a matte finish
& to prepare surfaces for polishing with rottenstone.
Fine pumice may also be used as an abrasive cleaning agent for
extremely grimy wood finishes when mixed with
LIBERON™ Wood Cleaner & Wax Remover.
On clean surfaces Black Bison Liquid Wax may be used as a
lubricant to slow and control cutting action.
SUPPLIES: In addition to the pumice in grades #3/0 & 6/0 --
You will need the following supplies to obtain a proper hand
rubbed finish and surface.
1 - felt rubbing block
2 - Rubbing Lubricant or mineral oil to lubricate the surface
3 - soft, clean cotton cloth or sponge
4 - Naptha to remove all traces of oil
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
(A word of caution is in order; a clean work area and careful
storage of all rubbing supplies will prevent contamination of
the supplies that could cause scratches in the finish.)
The level of finish obtained, [eggshell, flat, matte, satin,
semi-gloss, gloss, or (high polish, using Rottenstone) is a matter
of subjective judgment and to a certain degree is controlled by
the rubbing block, the grade of pumice, the lubricant and the
craftsman’s technique. The Gloss film finish must be well cured.
Rubbing blocks may be of hard felt 1/2 thick or thicker. Thinner
felt or clean burlap of several layers may be stretched over a
small pine block of approx. 3 x 5 inches to assure proper leveling
action while rubbing flat surfaces. Molding may be rubbed with
shaped and covered blocks or with a stiff bristle brush. The short
bristle brush is almost a necessity for rubbing complex carved
areas. Strips of hat felt or an old towel saturated with oil and the
rubbing compound work well on turnings and spindles. For large
flat surfaces and commercial work air and electric rubbers are
available. (Orbital sanders may be used for polishing; to prevent
contamination from other shop operations & the possible damage
to the surface, a special machine should be reserved with a
separate pad for each grade of rubbing compound.) A little
experimenting will help in finding the best tools for each
particular surface or area. [KEEP rubbing blocks used with
different grades of pumice separate and use them with that grade
only to avoid contamination of the finer grades.]
Lubrication for the finished surface is provided by soaking the
pad in mineral oil. Water may be used as a lubricant for faster
cutting action. Do not use water to lubricate shellac. Oil or
Rubbing Lubricant is safe on all finishes and its slower cutting
action allows more control.
The pumice may be sprinkled from a shaker can or the damp felt
may be dipped in a shallow jar lid or tray of pumice, it’s a matter
of preference. It is recommend that open trays of pumice be
discarded after each polishing session to prevent contamination
of your fresh working stock. Always start with the coarser grades
then graduate to finer grades and rottenstone (see reverse) for
higher degrees of polish.
NOTE: When applying finish, sanding sealer coats should be cut
down and denibed with LIBERON #00 STEEL WOOL final coats
of finish should be cut down with LIBERON #0000/000 STEEL
WOOL or the appropriate grit abrasive paper.
Rub with the grain and apply only slight pressure, (panels may be
rubbed across the grain at first). To obtain effective and even
results work in a systematic manner from left to right and from
top to bottom.
KEEP THE ABRASIVE WET by adding more lubricant and
renew or change the rubber when necessary to avoid the sludge
from forming hard corns or deposits on the rubbing felt that will
scratch the surface.
Wipe and inspect the surface frequently.
- Proceed with caution especially near the corners and edges ,as
it is easy to cut through the finish in these areas, until the entire
surface shows a very flat and even matte finish.
Thoroughly clean the entire piece with a soft clean cloth free of
any seams or stitching. Use naptha to clean the surface if mineral
oil is your lubricant. Use plenty of fresh water to clean when
water is used as the lubricant.
Proceed to the next finer grade of pumice and repeat the same
process until the degree of finish meets your approval.
(Remember if the previous rubbing leaves a noticeable uneven
sheen, scratch marks, or nibs, the following finer grade of
abrasive rubbing will be more difficult and counterproductive)
For a higher degree of polish see the Rottenstone
instructions (on reverse).
After rubbing, allow the finish to harden for 48 to 72 hours
depending on weather conditions. To protect your finish from
surface abrasions, dirt, water, and other household elements
apply 2 or 3 coats of LIBERON Black Bison, CLEAR, Paste or
Liquid Wax with LIBERON #0000/000 Steel Wool. Allow the
wax to dry several hours before buffing; for the best results let
the wax dry over night before buffing.
Maintain the piece of furniture using only the paste wax. Dust
and buff only with a soft clean cloth. Once a year or when
needed apply a thin coat of wax very sparingly with LIBERON
#0000/000 Steel Wool. Allow the wax to dry an hour or so before
buffing, and for the best results let the wax dry over night before
buffing.
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WARRANTY: LIBERON/star Supplies, and/or the vendor
assume no responsibility expressed or implied,
for the results or misapplication or misuse of these materials.
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