Kathy

This run is dedicated to David McCullough and Colonel John Woolschlagger, both of whom served in the US Army Special Services. Each has a marble named for them. Philip Arthur also served in Special Forces and has a marble named for him.

In the boxes I sell there will be a pic on the top of the box showing Last Dance Marbles and a plate on the underside of the lid that reads:

The activities of the US Army Special Forces are shrouded in mystery and darkness. Most of their stories never come to light. It is fitting that the Tributes Last Dance marbles are shrouded in darkness. Unlike Special Forces, their beauty can be revealed with light. Shine your light on the marbles to reveal their story and remember the former and present men who serve in Special Ops of all branches of our military forces. Our Tributes were the last experimental run of 2008. Families and friends of Special Forces members know the meaning of "Last Dance".

That is beautiful and brings tears to my eyes.

I just bought 3 #11 Sambas and they are gorgeous and it is so true that until you put the light on them you don't see the true beauty.

Thank you

Kathy

Yes, it isn't hard to do marbles that you are only doing minor work too or just want to polish. This is how I mixed my cerium oxide: it was recommended 8 to 1 ratio so I took 1 tablespoon of cerium oxide and I had Optical Grade which is cheaper and 8 tablespoons of distilled water, don't use tap water and put it in a spray bottle, shake it up well and when using, shake occasionally. But if you want to tackle larger handmades with extensive damage and have to take off over 1/8th of glass, it does take a lot of time and hurt the heck out of my fingers. I bought a lot of several damaged handmades thinking I could just do it manually fairly easy and it wasn't for me.

Thanks for all the input. I did buy the diamond polishing pads in 5 different grits. I have some that I got to be quite smooth, but then they were cloudy. So I am hoping the cerium oxide with the cerium pads will bring back the shine. My hands cramp very easily so I won't be able to do this if it is too hard. I have been washing any new marbles in Efferdent denture cleaner. It works really well. I let them soak in a plastic bowl with warm water and efferdent and then rinse and the undamaged ones come out sparkling clean.

I'll let everyone know how the cerium works when I get it.

Thanks everyone

Kathy

I use a fine, dry grit pad then switch to a buff pad and Maas metal polish, it works like a charm. I just smooth it out over the surface thinly, then get to buffing with my dremmel equiped with a buff pad bit. Best of Luck! It sure is rewarding when you get those beauties back to life! God Bless!

I ordered some cerium oxide and cerium pads. It kills me when I see them wet and gorgeous then dry they are awful. I hope the cerium works. any suggestions for using it?

Kathy

Try calling a local glass company for installing windows, they have a compound that you have to mix yourself but it's not hard, just add water and it comes in several grits, you will want something heavy enough to take out the scratches you left with the pads tho.

Something that easy will remove the cloudiness from the surface? Great

Thank you for the help.

Kathy

Hi

A while back. I asked for help with polishing/repairing marbles. I did buy the diamond polishing pads that were suggested. I got rid of the roughness, but then the marbles were cloudy. some said I needed a polishing compound to get rid of the cloudiness. When wet the marbles look great, but as soon as they dry the cloudiness is back. Can someone tell me what polishing compound I should get and how to use it? I have quite a few marbles that would be gorgeous if they were clear.

Thanks for any help

Kathy