Goldfinger Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Hello There's an unrestored phareodus fish fossil I'm thinking about purchasing. How difficult is it to restore these and what do they use to highlight them? I'm a very patient guy and already have the tools needed. Just not sure to to go about the highlight process. Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Welcome to the Fossil Forum! We are glad you found us. What do you mean by "restoring"? Usually "preparing" or "prepping" refers to removing rock to expose a fossil, which also often involves some gluing or applying a consolidant to stabilize the specimen. "Restoring" refers to adding back missing pieces, for example by adding filler and sculpting/painting it to look like the authentic fragments so a fragmentary fossil looks like it is complete. Which process are you asking about? Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 Thanks for the reply. I'm mainly talking about applying the "paint" or whatever they use to highlight the fossil. The fossil has been prepped and all it needs is the highlights. It's being sold in it's natural state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 43 minutes ago, Goldfinger said: Thanks for the reply. I'm mainly talking about applying the "paint" or whatever they use to highlight the fossil. The fossil has been prepped and all it needs is the highlights. It's being sold in it's natural state. If you post a photo of it we can see what needs doing and better advise you of the process. Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 38 minutes ago, Mark Kmiecik said: If you post a photo of it we can see what needs doing and better advise you of the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Cropped and brightened: Not sure why you would want to paint this one. Looks fine the way it is. But if you really want to, the choice is yours. I would touch up the dings in the body, and maybe extend the fin rays where they have been inadvertently removed. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: Not sure why you would want to paint this one. Looks fine the way it is. +1 I agree. Whoever prepared this did a really good job and I would display it as is in my collection if I had one like it.maybe a coat of paraloid to protect it if it isn't already but that's all. Edited August 30, 2022 by Randyw 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 6 minutes ago, Randyw said: +1 I agree. Whoever prepared this did a really good job and I would display it as is in my collection if I had one like it.maybe a coat of paraloid to protect it if it isn't already but that's all. What is paraloid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 (edited) 33 minutes ago, Goldfinger said: What is paraloid? It's a plastic that is dissolved in either acetone or methyl alcohol and depending on how thick or thin you make the solution can be used to adhere or consolidate fossils that would otherwise fall apart or turn to dust because of their "crumbly" nature. In other words you soak them with the stuff to hold it together. By the way, the fish fossil you have needs no further help of any kind. It's just fine as it is and attempts to enhance the way it looks will do more damage than good. It's a very nice Phareodus and you don't want to take a chance and mess it up. Leave it as-is. Edited August 30, 2022 by Mark Kmiecik Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 I prefer to brush a light coat of 50:1 ratio mix on my fish fossils. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 I also see no reason to ‘restore’ anything on this fish. Nice phareodus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mochaccino Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 13 hours ago, Goldfinger said: all it needs is the highlights I have to ask why you think it "needs" such touch-ups? In many cases a fossil being restored or reconstructed significantly detracts from its value. Many fossil collectors consider natural as best and would much rather have pieces or incomplete natural material than something fabricated to look more complete. I personally take a more extreme stance in that any amount of restoration to a specimen is straight-up fakery and just ruins its value as a fossil, turning it into a man-made art project instead. Are you just looking for a pretty-looking display piece, regardless of whether it's genuine or faked? If you're wanting to try your hand at restoration and have no experience, at the very least I wouldn't do it on this one. Use a cheap, poorly-preserved piece instead for practice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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