How to Tumble Polish Paua Abalone Shell These instructions are for a 3lb rotary tumbler only. (Adjust accordingly) Requirements: Tumbler Paua Shells Tumbling powder 80 grit Tumbling powder 600 grit Polishing powder Crushed Walnut Shell (optional but really makes them glow)
Water Time A Sense of humor Electricity More time Patience Rubber gloves A large bucket or 2 I also use a strainer. It makes it much easier to clean shells. BE SURE TO THROUGHLY CLEAN BARRELS AFTER EACH STEP!
Step One: Place Paua shell pieces into tumbler but only to the 1/2 to 3/4 way mark. Just cover the shells with water then add 3 level table spoons of 80 grit tumbling powder. Seal tumbler as per manufacturers instructions. Place on motor Drive system, turn on power and leave town for a week....or just leave machine running for a week.
Step Two: After one week of tumbling fill your large bucket 1/2 way with water. Stop the motor system, uncap the drum, be careful not to loose any part. Put the drum and contents into the bucket of water. Turn the drum upside down inside the bucket shaking loose the contents and washing the drum at the same time. Wash the contents of the bucket making sure none of the grinding powder is attached. Once you have the paua out of the bucket dispose of the contents of the bucket any place but the drain as it will solidify fast when dry.
DO NOT WASH DOWN YOUR DRAIN PIPES!! This stuff turns to stone when it dries!
Place Paua Shell into a drum as per Step one but these times use 600 grit powder. Tumble again for one more week.
Step Three. VERY IMPORTANT.. Make sure your barrel and shells are VERY CLEAN!! I MEAN CLEAN! I ALWAYS use soap shavings, (DO NOT use liquid soaps or laundry detergents DO USE Ivory flakes or shave a bar of Ivory soap it must be pure real soap), and make a thick suds and tumble for 2 hours than clean them before placing the shells into the polishing stage!
Clean out your shells once again as per Step two. Place them into the CLEAN drum once again with the same water level but this time you place 2 tablespoons of Polishing powder and 2 tablespoons of Walnut shell (optional, if you don't use the walnut just add another spoon full of Polishing powder). Tumble this stage for another week. Step Four At this stage your shells will be ready......do not throw away your polishing powder/walnut shell mix, you can reuse this time and time again. At this stage you might want to place on a pair of surgical gloves as polishing powder tends to be very hard to remove from bare skin. Carefully remove the shells from the drum making sure you leave as much of the polishing stuff behind. If you have a back log of shells, you can instantly place them back in there, just make sure you have covered them with water once again. The shells once removed must be buffed dry, a good cotton rag is the best for this. And that's it. Have fun and you will be amazed at the treasure you will have! Here is the link I promised to obtain RAW Paua Abalone Shell: The Carver
Harry's Happy Place