9 replies to this topic

[Mofraqi]

Quick question to only fossil pros, what can i put on fossils to bring them out? What I mean is there some kind of clear coat to put on them to make it wet looking to bring the fossil prints out so you can see detail better!

[dhk]

OK, ya ready... BUTTER (or margerine). That's right, plain old butter with a q-tip. It will bring out all the detail, won't hurt the stone, lasts for weeks and evaportates in the sun if you dont want it on there any more. Old track trick. Not kidding... "BUTTER".

[Ordovician_Odyssey]

dhk, on 07 September 2010 - 08:27 PM, said:

OK, ya ready... BUTTER (or margerine). That's right, plain old butter with a q-tip. It will bring out all the detail, won't hurt the stone, lasts for weeks and evaportates in the sun if you dont want it on there any more. Old track trick. Not kidding... "BUTTER".

wow really, out of all things you'de never think of butter..lol
-shamus

Edited by trilobite guy, 07 September 2010 - 08:43 PM.

[erose]

But if you go with margarine you can use the plastic tubs later for collecting.... hey ma why are there bugs in the fossil cabinet?

[Mofraqi]

I was looking for something a little more permanent!

[crinus]

I use Krylon Clear Matte Finish. I spray the entire rock and specimen and let it dry. I then use my air abrasive to remove it from everything except those that I want to stand out. Or you can spray some into a container and brush it on the fossil.

crinus

[tracer]

i may answer you and may not, cuz i gotta go on another topic and run a poll to see how many think i'm a "pro" or not...i'm guessing i won't be back...

[Mofraqi]

Someone told me to use beeswax or carnuba wax? nothing else. Is this a good idea?

[jpc]

I'm a big fan of nothing. Leave them natural. Butter sounds fun for tracks that oyu will take pix of then leave in situ, but on the shelf, I bet it'll start to stink pretty quickly.

Wax will make them shine, sure, but if some day yuo decide oyu want to look at the details, like say the day after you buy a nice microscope, then you will cuss the wax and the horse it rode in on. Wax obliterates details like nobody's business. And over the years, dust sticks to it, rending the nice shine only temporary. And never use shellac. That turns yellow AND the dust sticks to it.

Real pros (they tell me I am one every month by giving me a paycheck) use vinac and butvar, but these things are more to keep things from falling apart. Naked and natural... that's the way a fossil should be. I was gonna add to that line, but this is a family show.

You can also do a lot with low angle lighting...

Edited by jpc, 09 September 2010 - 05:03 AM.

[ebrocklds]

please don't use butter. it is an animal fat and therefore has natural oils in it that will soak into the rock and are not reversable. you should use a polyvinyl acetate (vinac or paraloid) even matte finish clear krylon is a good option that is reversable.

Brock