Muddy limestone

[Jurassicz1]

I have some fossilsfrom kinnekulle. That when wet can be little muddy. I try to clean it with a toothbrush but it wont clean and it looks like this after. Any ideas? theres a picture of a orthoceras being wet and dry. So you can see how its not good looking when dry.

 

  

[Ludwigia]

If you want to do some serious prepping, then you'll need to acquire a pneumatic scribe and an air abrader at some point. Otherwise you'll have to use hammer, small chisels, pin vices, etc. But first study up on the anatomy of the fossils before you knock a hole in them.

[Fossildude19]

Also, it may just be that the preservation is not that good. Looks eroded/weathered to me.

Sometimes exposed fossils take a lot of wear and tear before being found. 

This can wreak havoc on preservation of fossils, leaving them looking like this. 

[Jurassicz1]

7 minutes ago, Ludwigia said:

If you want to do some serious prepping, then you'll need to acquire a pneumatic scribe and an air abrader at some point. Otherwise you'll have to use hammer, small chisels, pin vices, etc. But first study up on the anatomy of the fossils before you knock a hole in them.

I did its just really muddy. I really want scribes but it really costs alot. I saw zoic palaeo made one thats called budget fossil preparation starter kit. I Think it was £329. I really do like hand prepping. How loud are they? Are the air compressors loud too? I have seen many use these wooden boxes for the dust. Many scribes to choose from. The kit has a trilobite air pen.if i want to purchase should i buy the kit or something else? Really like the scribes that kind of sand blasts and can prep fragile fossils. And prep hard rocks too. But should i clean the fossil alot to remove the mud like cleaning the toothbrush each time so the mud does not come back on the fossil

[Jurassicz1]

4 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

Also, it may just be that the preservation is not that good. Looks eroded/weathered to me.

Sometimes exposed fossils take a lot of wear and tear before being found. 

This can wreak havoc on preservation of fossils, leaving them looking like this. 

Oh it looked good before but after cleaning it looks like this. Maybe the dirty water was left there after cleaning? Should i clean it in a bucket with warm water and a toothbrush?

[Fossildude19]

Honestly, from the pictures provided, I do not see a lot of difference in the wet and dry.   

I would make sure all mud is off of the specimen by washing in warm water with a toothbrush.

Be sure to rinse the fossil with clean water, until the water remains clean. 

 

 

[Jurassicz1]

1 hour ago, Fossildude19 said:

Honestly, from the pictures provided, I do not see a lot of difference in the wet and dry.   

I would make sure all mud is off of the specimen by washing in warm water with a toothbrush.

Be sure to rinse the fossil with clean water, until the water remains clean. 

 

 

Ok thanks! Should i have water in a bucket or use the tap? What matrix does water damage? I know shale is not good with water. Is all limestone okay? I know sometimes fossils can break while drying. Is it only when direct sunlight is on them? Can i just leave them to dry on my desk?

[Fossildude19]

Running water is best for rinsing fossils off, in my opinion.

Water can damage some marls, some soft mudstones, sometimes chalk, and sometimes shales. It really depends.

Most limestones are fine with water. Fossils can break when drying. Those are usually soft, thin shales, and other friable matrices. 

It can also happen with teeth and bones. 

 

Drying in sunlight or inside should be fine for most limestones, and other sedimentary rocks. It just really depends on what type of matrix you are dealing with. 

It really just takes a lot of trial and error, to figure out what is best for matrix from your collecting areas. 

It's a good idea or habit to get into, to take pictures before and after cleaning, and before and after prep.