minnbuckeye Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Prep help needed!!!!! 1. Blue Forest petrified wood. I have used a chisel and an engraver to remove most of the algal growth on the outside of the wood. Is there a chemical means to remove the fine stuff that remains without hurting the wood or the blue agate?? 2. Individual silicified shells of the fossil snail Goniobasis (Turritella Agate) found at Wamsutter, Wyoming. Again, is there a chemical way to remove the tan coating on many of these. Even if it took the shell away, I am most interested in preserving the beautiful silicified interiors of these shells. I have tried vinegar and potassium chloride with NO success. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phevo Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 I have used hydrochloric acid to remove organic matter and chalk from flint (SiO2) fossils before Hydrocloric acid is used for curing the mortar after bricklaying and could be bought in hardware stores were I am from I would suggest a test piece just in case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 @Phevo, I do have HCl acid. Try not to use it, BUT...... If there is just a light layer I want to remove, how long would uyou suggest bathing the fossils in acid? Dilute the acid? What post acid treatment do you use? Lots of questions!! Thanks for your input. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phevo Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Hey @minnbuckeye I usually use a roughly 5% solution and leave them for upwards of a week depending on the type of chalk, it did not damage the flint, but I would take a test piece of agatized wood to see if it has an effect on the coloration 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 41 minutes ago, Phevo said: 5% solution and leave them for upwards of a week Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Actually, I found advice on an old Fossil Forum post. Still curious about the Goniobasis (Turritella) if anyone has experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 HCl should clean the calcium deposits of the Turitella agate as well. Do this somewhere where it won't be a curiosity to kids and cats and dogs. It is potentially nasty stuff. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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