Riverwashed Finish

[Top It Off Inc]

Is there any way I can attempt duplicate a riverwashed finish on a sink cutout. We are fabricating Absoulute Black with a riverwash factory finish and cannot get the cutout or finished ends top match the factory finish no matter what I try. Any advice / ideas / tips would be greatly appreciated.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Hi Guys:

This is my neighbor, he is a fabricator up the road and I am trying to encourage him to join the SFA so please show him how great we are...

When I spoke to him this morning he mentioned the inside of the stone was way darker than the textured surface and the surface hinted green, he needs to get the color match..

Any help would be appreciated.

[Boyd]

'Riverwashed' usually means 'brushed' or 'leathered'. Texture with a 'flat' type look re polish. There are additional steps that will pretty much give it a sheen. That is a 'caress' finish.

ABS does not have many soft components so leathering it gives it a 'grainy' look. Highs and lows, but in a
fairly uniform fashion.

Edge work is done with brushes. 36 grit- 120 or 220.

Factory finish on leathered stones usually stops at 120 grit.

Factory finish on caressed stones is brushes thru 800, then pads for 800 and 1500.

Boyd, SFA

[Top It Off Inc]

Boyd, in this case the "Riverwashed" finish is not brushed or leathered. This stone looks like it was sandblasted with steel shot. Being Absoulute Black the texture has a grey / black / white speckled look. When we used our leathering tools on it, now it has a uniform grey look with texture. Tried sandblasting it today, but the shot medium is to fine. I'm starting to think I'm up the creek without a paddle on this one. Definetly appreciate the suggestion. Thank You.

[Dan Dauchess]

I think this finish is "hammered" and then brushed. You might try a nine-point chisel and then brushes.

[Boyd]

Top, Dan may be correct. It may also be flamed, then brushed. Or water jetted [from way above a normal position, and without garnet], then brushed.

If any of these is the case, Dan's chisel then brush might be your best option.

If there is any way to post a picture, I'm sure we can collectively solve it.

Boyd, SFA

[Top It Off Inc]

This is what I have.

Riverwashed.jpg (256.03KiB)Viewed 501 times

[DavidL]

I've done this finish. Yes the nine point chisel then bristle style antique brushes (not the nubbed Tenax, but the bristles from Granquartz (They are listed as Alicante Brushes in the book)). You will more than likely need a little ager to get consistency in the color afterwards due to some white spots not getting hit by the bristles. We also played around with taking an Air Chisel ( with flat point) and using that as well, it worked but you need to regulate your pressure down to like 35psi to avoid large chips from happening.

[Justzack]

I agree with Dave. It is flamed and then brushed. chiseling and then brushing will match. I used a needle gun which can be purchased at Home Depot.
I got it from Bel stone when they were under that name.

[Dan R.]

Most (if not all) AB that is brushed is flamed prior to the brushing to achieve the texture, as normal brushing doesn't leave enough texture in the fine grained AB stone. If you need a 9 point chisel I have the set up complete with the hammer required (I will send it to you to borrow, since Jean vouched for you). Let me know. I can send it UPS or Fedex ( or whatever your preference). Tenax does sell a diamond wire brush similar to the GQ Alicante series. The Alicante sreies is a good product.

S/B will not leave a rough enough texture in a fine grain stone (like AB), An aggressive diamond wire brush, could be made to work, imo

[VThartzog]

Anyone tried to duplicate this on the surface to match with good results? We're trying to get a scratch out of the surface of a big island and our brushes got the scratch out, but made it too smooth....I'm a little weary taking a 9 point chisel to the face of the stone.

[Dan R.]

Josh, all you really need to do is camouflage the scratch be texturing over it, thus breaking up the visual appearance of the scratch. A sharp steel cold chisel will work. I single point would be better than a blade one. Mark up the scratch area and then finish like the original was done. The chiseling will leave a white stun mark that will need to be muted with a brush, some Ager or a pad of some sort.

What color are you working with?

[VThartzog]

Abs black. I was going to try the chisels,but they're on the installers truck. Will have to try in the morning. Do the brushes work better than the nubbed heads?

[Dan R.]

The nubbed brushes will add more color depth (similar to polishing pads). Most AB is flamed then brushed, this gives more of a textured surface than could be achieved by brushes alone due to the small grain size of AB.