1. Restoration, Repair, & Finishing Supplies
LIBERON™/star
star™Supplies, P.O. Box 86, Mendocino, CA 95460 • 707-877-3570
ROTTENSTONE
(premium grey, 1 lb.)
For other surfaces choose water or oil to lubricate the
for surface. Water will give a slightly more aggressive
Fine Furniture FINISHING, action. Use Paraffine Oil or Mineral Oil or, the lighter
viscosity, Rubbing Lubricant when using an oil
carrier.
POLISHING, and CLEANING Using a felt rubbing block at least 1/2 inch thick soak
the lubricant into the pad, (or stretch thinner felt over
Premium Grey Rottenstone is used to make antiquing a wooden block to obtain the necessary flat surface)
wax and to patinate gilt and gilt finishes, to dust mats and dip the block into the rottenstone. (An old felt
in the framing trade. hat cut and folded into the appropriate size and shape
is a good solution for difficult shapes or surfaces).
An excellent recipe for glass polish On horizontal surfaces, the rottenstone may be
(from The Framer’s Answer Book sprinkled on with a shaker can. Using moderate
by Paul Frederick) is: pressure rub with the grain using long strokes.
1 Pint methanol or isopropanol alcohol Inspect the work frequently as to guard against
2 Tablespoons Rottenstone cutting through the finish. Continue until the desired
1 Tablespoon Ivory liquid surface and gloss is obtained. Wipe the sludge away
Shake together with a soft damp cloth.
in a gallon jug filled with water.
Use for polishing glass, the water & alcohol If oil is used finish off the surface wiping with a cloth
dissolves dirt and grease, the rottenstone polishes and dampened with naptha to remove all traces of the oil.
the liquid detergent acts as an anti-static. Allow the finish to sit and harden for 4 to 8 hours.
Apply a protective coat of wax and the finish with a
Rottenstone is used as the final rubbing compound to soft cloth and BLACK BISON™ Cabinetmakers
obtain a high gloss finish on lacquer, varnish, and Liquid or Paste Wax Polish. (Do Not Use Polishing
shellac surfaces. All Rubbing operations should take Products Containing Silicones)
place after the film finish is completely cured. Used
with furniture polish as a carrier, rottenstone can ROTTENSTONE (or 6/0 PUMICE, for less sheen) is
remove difficult dirt and grime from furniture and a very good cleaner for grimy dirty furniture, use
woodwork. BLACK BISON™ Liquid Wax, Rubbing Lubricant,
or Wood Cleaner & Wax Remover as a lubricant for
DIRECTIONS For Polishing Use cleaning finished wood surfaces.
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
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with the ROTTENSTONE polishing. For shellac See reverse for
finishes use only oil as a lubricant for polishing, Pumice Rubbing Procedures
(shellac is not waterproof).
Fax: 707-877-3566 •• Toll Free Order Desk: 800-245-5611 •• Information: 707-877-3570
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2. PUMICE
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
for of your fresh working stock. Always start with the coarser grades
then graduate to finer grades and rottenstone (see reverse) for
Hand rubbing of Gloss furniture finishes to a matte finish
higher degrees of polish.
& to prepare surfaces for polishing with rottenstone.
NOTE: When applying finish, sanding sealer coats should be cut
down and denibed with LIBERON #00 STEEL WOOL final coats
Fine pumice may also be used as an abrasive cleaning agent for
of finish should be cut down with LIBERON #0000/000 STEEL
extremely grimy wood finishes when mixed with
LIBERON™ Wood Cleaner & Wax Remover. WOOL or the appropriate grit abrasive paper.
On clean surfaces Black Bison Liquid Wax may be used as a
lubricant to slow and control cutting action. 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
SUPPLIES: In addition to the pumice in grades #3/0 & 6/0 --
top to bottom.
You will need the following supplies to obtain a proper hand
rubbed finish and surface. KEEP THE ABRASIVE WET by adding more lubricant and
1 - felt rubbing block renew or change the rubber when necessary to avoid the sludge
from forming hard corns or deposits on the rubbing felt that will
2 - Rubbing Lubricant or mineral oil to lubricate the surface
scratch the surface.
3 - soft, clean cotton cloth or sponge
4 - Naptha to remove all traces of oil
Wipe and inspect the surface frequently.
- Proceed with caution especially near the corners and edges ,as
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
it is easy to cut through the finish in these areas, until the entire
(A word of caution is in order; a clean work area and careful
surface shows a very flat and even matte finish.
storage of all rubbing supplies will prevent contamination of
the supplies that could cause scratches in the 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
The level of finish obtained, [eggshell, flat, matte, satin,
oil is your lubricant. Use plenty of fresh water to clean when
semi-gloss, gloss, or (high polish, using Rottenstone) is a matter
water is used as the lubricant.
of subjective judgment and to a certain degree is controlled by
the rubbing block, the grade of pumice, the lubricant and the
Proceed to the next finer grade of pumice and repeat the same
craftsman’s technique. The Gloss film finish must be well cured.
process until the degree of finish meets your approval.
(Remember if the previous rubbing leaves a noticeable uneven
Rubbing blocks may be of hard felt 1/2 thick or thicker. Thinner
sheen, scratch marks, or nibs, the following finer grade of
felt or clean burlap of several layers may be stretched over a abrasive rubbing will be more difficult and counterproductive)
small pine block of approx. 3 x 5 inches to assure proper leveling
action while rubbing flat surfaces. Molding may be rubbed with
For a higher degree of polish see the Rottenstone
shaped and covered blocks or with a stiff bristle brush. The short instructions (on reverse).
bristle brush is almost a necessity for rubbing complex carved
areas. Strips of hat felt or an old towel saturated with oil and the After rubbing, allow the finish to harden for 48 to 72 hours
rubbing compound work well on turnings and spindles. For large depending on weather conditions. To protect your finish from
flat surfaces and commercial work air and electric rubbers are surface abrasions, dirt, water, and other household elements
available. (Orbital sanders may be used for polishing; to prevent apply 2 or 3 coats of LIBERON Black Bison, CLEAR, Paste or
contamination from other shop operations & the possible damage
Liquid Wax with LIBERON #0000/000 Steel Wool. Allow the
to the surface, a special machine should be reserved with a
wax to dry several hours before buffing; for the best results let
separate pad for each grade of rubbing compound.) A little
the wax dry over night before buffing.
experimenting will help in finding the best tools for each
particular surface or area. [KEEP rubbing blocks used with
Maintain the piece of furniture using only the paste wax. Dust
different grades of pumice separate and use them with that grade
and buff only with a soft clean cloth. Once a year or when
only to avoid contamination of the finer grades.]
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
Lubrication for the finished surface is provided by soaking the
buffing, and for the best results let the wax dry over night before
pad in mineral oil. Water may be used as a lubricant for faster
buffing.
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.
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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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