This is for all the chemists amongst the forum members… the first one that comes to mind is @Henry
What is a good stabilizer when mixing cerium oxides with h2o that keeps the ceruim oxide(s) from separating from the h2o?
Thanks in advance…
I remember years back when I was working on developing superabrasive suspensions/compounds. I came up with a home made centrifuge made from a 25,000 RPM wood router. I could have taken my leg off with it. But it did work. The best suspensions were those that used a thickener for water like bean gum, or xanthan gum. This can be blended with another water miscible very thick liquid. There are several of these. But then there is an order to putting it all together, Heat helps. And different organic acids can be added too. Certain acids like sulfamic will precipitate out over 6 percent forming crystals that scratch. The bottom line is there are many different ways to make a good suspension. When suspending silica these days I just keep it simple and use pure glycerin. There is a little separation in a few days but not much.
Henry
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I should also add that I prefer using cerium in my slow release compound which dries solid like a paint. Then pads can be coated with the slow release. And the glass can be polished with nothing but soapy water.
I show how this works in my video on the Wobble Wheel.
All of these formulas will be available to the Glass Smart Community in an email letter. I am working on a website for the community that I am now building with my blog and FB group.
Everything will be known. In time.
Henry
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Thanks for the information Henry. Ive always liked concept of your slow release pads and the wobble wheel.
So pure glycerin would be a good stabilizer then?
It has been working good for me. A little separation but comes right back with a stir. Glycerin is cheap too. Around 12 bux a gallon from Bulk Apothecary. Buy it in five gallon pails. Or you might get some left over at a biodiesel company. Or I could sell you some. I have a few gallons left. I think it might be easier to mix in your powder if you do it slow and heat up the glycerin. Just wear a mask if working with a silica. Remember the cancer scare. You will absolutely want the right silica however.
I am going to have a newsletter again but only as an adjunct for my Community. I am starting to work on the website of links now for this community. All of these formulas and ingredients sources will be available to the community in the newsletter.
Henry
[email protected]
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@wcs, I used to mix my cerium in water too but hated the constant battle of the tips clogging because I forgot to shake the bottle. So I quit. I picked up this (flour shaker? Idk, not much into baking or baking supplies). It’s great, you can turn the top so it’s closed, big holes, medium holes, or small holes so you can adjust how much youre sprinkling. No more fighting the suspension. My spray bottle is just for water now.
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I use something like that currently. Im think more terms of suspending the cerium in a additive to get a constant ratio. Ive figure out what ratio works very well for the hard water here. I dont want my guys to be wasting time to try and figure it out…lol
Thanks for sharing the idea though!
I like that. Just wet the window then sprinkle your pad and go at it. Very simple and practical.
I do something similar with my SKRUB/silica compound. Just a few drops on the pad from the bottle. Wet the window with soapy water and go at it. Just count the drops.
Simplicity is the best.
Henry
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Typically I sprinkle it on the pad, then spray the pad so that the cerium is wet and sticks to the pad when I flip it on the glass.
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Thats the way ive been doing it also, but my guy spends way to much time trying to figure out how much to use…lol
Just trying to make process proof… 
