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Showing results for tags 'cleaning'.
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I have read on several websites about how to clean eye piece and objectives. From distilled water only , 90 % Isopropal alcohol, Vodka, and Everclear liqueur. Lens tissues, and Kimwipes. Q tips yes and no. I am asking more in reference to vintage microscopes than the latest and greatest optics. What is your technique. Microfiber cleaning cloths have come way down in price, as well as eye glass mini cloths. I find the ladies soft make up brushes are good for dusting, and my local drugstore carries Elf Brand for $1.00 each. Bob
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Hey all, I've got a beautiful plate from Green River containing two Priscaceras. The stone itself however is kind of ugly, and I'd like to at least egalize the colours of the stone if possible. Would that be possible, and how could I do that? How about slightly scuffing the stone itself?
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Good Evening All, I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I was hoping someone could assist me in identifying the type of petrified wood I found in South Texas and the easiest way to remove the white minerals around it (providing I even should be removing the minerals around it). There were several pieces found about 4' below-ground on the edge of a crevasse where water was carving out the soil. I am tempted to return with an excavator to locate more of it but will hold off in the meantime. An early thanks to anyone who can reply and give me some guidance.
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I've always been really into fossils and prehistoric stuff but I only recently starting going out and fossil hunting. On a recent trip I found 5 concretions from the lincoln creek formation in washington state. I'm pretty sure only the middle one has something in it but I'm at a complete loss at how to go about cleaning these. I dont have a air scribe and I'm completely content with just seeing some of the crab, if there is one inside any of the concretions, and would love some pointers to go about this. Also how to preserve them once they are exposed. I've seen people using some chemicals but would love a specific brand to use!
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So, what is the safest way to remove matrix (sandstone and limestone) from calcium shelled fossils. Everything I've read involved acids (some pretty dangerous). What is most ecologically friendly and safest way? I have picks and dramel , but these shells are very thin and almost impossible to remove from the matrix. I am thinking that weaker acids might not work that well and the costs of using more powerful stuff would require a special room with exhaust systems and ways to neutralize the stronger acids to make them environmentally safe. Images are typical of fossils I want to extract. Anyone have a good solution for this issue?
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Hello So a while back I came into the possession of a Columbian Mammoth Tooth. As you can see it's in need of a clean and maybe preserving, which I have never done and so I'd like some advice. Feel free to treat me like an idiot as I have never done this befor. P.S. I cannot upload anything to the Gallery section either.
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Hello everyone, I found the below ichthyosaur vertebra on the beach at Wimereux two weeks ago. It had obviously been lying there for some time, as it was covered in green algae and barnacles. Based on the advise of various friends and the fact this rock seems to hard and massive to work through using just my Dremel, I'll be leaving the fossil in its matrix. However, I do want to clean it up from the algae and barnacles. As such, I used a 1:2 dilution of 14° household cleaning vinegar and a couple of sturdy brushes to remove most of the algae (dipping the brushes in the solution between brushings) and soaked it in soapy hot water. Areas with tougher algae were treated using the undiluted vinegar. Today removed the remaining barnacles using wooden toothpicks, following it with another soak in hot soapy water and another rinse. Although I think this got rid of all the barnacles, and the piece is no longer entirely coated in green algae, there are still various green spots on the rock (and a slight green sheen on the vertebra itself) that haven't come out with the treatment. (Also the "dead fish smell" still lingers) This makes me wonder about the following things: 1. Can the algae regrow, given enough light and moisture in the air? 2. Has anyone ever experienced algae spreading in their collection after failing to remove all traces of algae (I mean, fungi will spread between books and, as I understand, algae can transmit their spores by air)? 3. Is there a way I can get rid of the remaining algae on the rock? E.g. exposure to sun/UV light? 4. Is there a way something can be done about the slight lingering smell, or is this just something that needs to dissipate over time? Now I read some of you prefer using diluted bleach to remove algae growth from fossils (as mentioned in the post below), but I'm not sure I feel comfortable playing around with such aggressive agents yet...
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Here we see a middle Cretaceous ammonite I recently found. Before cleaning attempt And the other picture is after. I used a dremel and various bits. I wouldn't rate it 100% bad since it is my first attempt using power tools, however I would not recommend it. It lacks accuracy and sometimes the bit moves unpredictably, removing fossil material. Nevertheless, the sample was not something I intended to keep in my collection so I thought to give it a try and verify myself the advice so many people give. Use an airscribe!
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Cleaning beach pebbles I was wondering if you have some household methods about cleaning pebbles that where found on the beach? For example I have some nice pieces of unakite but they are really pale, maybe because of the salt or algae and water alone doesn't seem to do the job. Thanks!
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I stubbled on a few small pieces of ammolite while out fishing. I have searched the internet and this forum for information and have come up with several different ways to clean and polish ammolite. However I have not been able to find a detailed process from start to finish to get ammolite looking it’s best. I know there are different qualities of ammolite and some require little to no work but mine needs some work to get it to look good without getting it wet. I have tried sanding for quite a while up to 600 grit paper. That’s the finest I could find but now have found up to 3000. Should I just keep going with the sanding? Is there polishing or buffing to do after the sanding? Is there an epoxy to put on after to keep the wet look? Any information would help and I thank you in advance. I just want to do it right the first time so that I don’t wreck it or have to go back and try to strip off something I put on.
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I am a novice fossil hunter seeking some confirmation on a couple of finds in the Peace River, FL this week. I believe the images in the attached photo are a Tapir tooth and Alligator jaw section with two teeth. I would appreciate help in confirming or properly identifying these finds. I am also interested in information on how I can clean the "Alligator" jaw/teeth to remove green algae without damaging the specimen. Thanks
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Good morning all! Hope everyone is healthy and starting to get back to normal, whatever that will be! Found this yesterday below a roadcut in Kansas City laying by itself. The shape instantly caught my attention, and when I looked at it, I believe it is a totally encrusted large bivalve/clam! Very similar to the large native freshwater clams we have around here. The encrusted material is limestone- there are crinoid parts/what appears to be sea urchin spines and "hash". You can see faintly concentric lines. So my questions are-Since it has the shape and appearance of a bivalve, but is totally covered by "matrix" is it a concretion, or simply an encrusted shell? Second-it's very cool in itself, but do I try to clean it up to see what species and have a cooler shell? Could it even be cleaned well enough? Just alternating baths/soaks in vinegar?I have also included a pic of the encrusted matrix. Thoughts all? Thanks! Bone
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I am trying to find an easier way to effectively remove green and black lichen from the exterior and crevasses of rock I've collected. Soaking it and using a needle does work, but causes damage to delicate specimens. Does anyone know of a chemical or technique that truly gets the stuff to let go easily?
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I have been watching Youtube videos about cleaning fossils and have learned quite a bit. Since I have SO many rocks in my yard I decided to kind of take one apart and learn about it. I originally thought this was some sort of coral/sponge fossil, but now I am not so sure. It has been thoroughly cleaned with vinegar and then I started removing what I think is the "matrix" with a dental pick. It's okay if I damage this - I am doing it so I can learn! I basically dug out any soft areas and have been surprised at what is emerging. In fact, I am not so sure it is a fossil at this point? Question: Will a fossil be damaged by scratching matrix out from around it? How can you tell what is matrix and what is fossil if you aren't completely sure what the fossil is? And I mostly have fossiliferous limestone, which is hard/impossible to remove all of the matrix from (this rock is not fossiliferous, but I have a lot of them laying around!)? All input appreciated! Thanks Ramona
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I think I have completed my first full cleaning of a fossiliferous limestone rock. I will post a series of macro photos of the rock here and would welcome input. I am new at this (like I said, it is my FIRST full cleaning) so would appreciate input and suggestions. I first soaked the rock in a vinegar and water solution for a couple of days, taking it out every once in a while and brushing it with a soft bristled paint brush. I had ordered some essence of vinegar to have a stronger acid, so when that arrived I used a very small amount of it on the brush to continue cleaning the rock. I then placed it in a baking soda and water solution overnight, again brushing and rinsing it every once in a while. It seemed to have stop bubbling this morning, so I declared it "done", but would like thoughts on whether it looks completely cleaned or not. I mostly see fenestella bryozoan fossils in it, in different stages and at different angles, so please let me know what else, if anything, you see in this rock. The size of the rock is as follows: 5cm long, 3 cm wide, 2.5 cm tall and I found it in our yard in Huntsville, Alabama. I am posting a number of macro photographs of different areas of the rock and I may ask questions on some of them. Thanks for any and all input!
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Ammonite Ammolite Disaster! How Should I Fix/ Clean This Specimen?
Kurufossils posted a topic in Fossil Preparation
Hello everyone, I recently received this large 14inch ammonite and the shipper had no care in the world to put even an ounce of protection thus this is the result I'm not experienced with much prep and not confident superglue would cut it so what would you all recommend to help repair this specimen as well as clean off some of the dirt/dust layer coating alot of it?
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Hi everyone, I've been wanting to clean this fossil up for a long time but not really knowing how to start because I have little experience with cleaning fossils. Anybody got any tips for removing the hard stone covering the front of the fossil? Thanks in advance! (dimensions are 9x9x7 cm)
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Hello, i have a few fossils like the one in the picture, they are all shells in limestone. I want to clean them and i have had some success with acetic acid. I just wondered if someone had any tips or a better way to clean them, also if anyone knows whats the best concentration to clean them, mine is 25% acid but this seems a little high. I can post a picture of a relatively clean one if it helps to identify the best way to clean them.
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When I get a new rikers display case, the glass invariably needs cleaning to remove fingerprints and whatnot. What would be the best choice of glass cleaner? I’m worried about using standard glass cleaner (ie windex) as these could possibly degrade fossils (or am I paranoid?).
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Hello all! I always see very nice photos of fossils that have been very neatly cleaned and uncovered like the following: I was wondering how I might go about doing this as a beginner and/or what kind of materials react well/not so well when cleaning certain types of fossils. Thanks! -Em
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Hello everyone , this is my first post on here so go easy on me lol. I just bought this Eopachydiscus and im waiting on it in the mail. Is there anything i can do to clean it up a little ? or do you think i sjhould just leave it as is? thanks for your time ! p.s -its 12 inches across if you needed an idea of size.
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I am a newbe on this hobby and just got my first low grade trilobite, not something exceptional, my quastion would be is there any possibility with household items to clean it a little as it has some dirt and deposits on it? Can I put it on water? Thank you all in advance!
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I'm working on getting equipment to clean fossils, however I've ran into this problem. If the air scribe never seems to come with an air compressor, how do they expect you to use it? So I have found two tools, the air scribe with those hose and scribe but no compressor. The second thing I have found was the air abrasive tool with the compressor. Can I simply use the same compressor for both parts or will I need to buy a special air compressor for each. I hope I can just use the same one.
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Questions regarding solvents, sealants, and heat in trilobite fossils
Trinitydraco posted a topic in Questions & Answers
Okay so I have some questions on what you can and can't do with your typical trilobite in shale fossils. To help direct the discussion, I am interested in setting a small trilobite in silver as a gift. I make silver jewelry both using PMC (Precious Metal Clay) and traditional cutting and soldering. So, first question: Can you use high percentage (70% or higher) rubbing alcohol to clean all the dust and debris before sealing a trilobite? If not, what should I use? (I know you shouldn't use water) Question 2: What sealants can/should you use on a trilobite? I am looking for something that will be both waterproof and help prevent chipping. Question 3: Does anyone have any experience exposing them to high heat? It is common in jewelry making for heat to be involved, from both direct flame and indirect radiant heat. Is there any kind of precautions I should take and if so, what? What type of heat did you expose them to and what was the result? Different minerals act differently so remember we are talking about soft-medium shale. Question 4: Do you have any other advice or precautions you can give me regarding the use of fossil trilobites in/from shale matrix regarding their use in mixed media projects? The information I gather on this will help dictate my methods and help me create a plan for my project. There are many different ways I can do this and want to get a better idea of my options. Thanks. Picture is not of the exact trilobite to be used. It's just a reference for the kind of material/fossil I will be using.
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I'm reading a 1960ish report on a formation near me (Bloomsburg). Among other interesting things it says "The most effective method of extracting the fossils from the claystone is by crushing in a crusher in which fine particles drop out so that they do not constantly undergo breakage." Can anyone elaborate on this process?
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