Soapstone finish question

[Rolland]

I have been working with a piece of soapstone and am having trouble getting a good finish. I have tried CA, oil, wax and just polishing with a piece of felt. So far nothing seems to work, at least to my satisfaction. There must be a combination that gives a good finish I just ain't found it yet so any help would be greatly apprecated.

 

[PaulDoug]

I have used micro mesh through 12K than a plastic polish. final polish with Res. wax. It is pretty hard to get a glass like finish on soapstone. Least I haven't found a way.

 

[G1Pens]

I recently did a keychain with soapstone and finished it with CA. It has a nice gloss finish. I had no trouble applying it. I sanded to 600. Cleaned with accelerator and then applied the CA. I think I did 1 coat thin and 7 coats medium. Then MM.

Here is a link to my picture. You can't really see the gloss in the picture though

http://www.penturners.org/photos/index.php?n=18099

 

[Craftdiggity]

Stone is porous, and soapstone in particular. It will suck up anything you put on it. I soak it in thin CA, then wipe it down. I let dry overnight, and then sand it up to 2000, and then apply my normal CA finish.

 

[Rolland]

Thanks for the information I will apply some of the techinques that have been mentioned. Perhaps I am not allowing the ca to dry long enough.
Anyway......we must endeavor to persevere.
Thanks