GreatHoatzin Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I have had this hunk of rock from Manitoulin Island for quite some time now, but I have never attempted to really clean it before. Does anyone have any tips for cleaning the fossils, but leaving them in the rock? I would just like to be able to analyze them more closely. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manticocerasman Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I think the only possibilities here are with a micro sandblaster or chemical preparation (but I won’t recommend the last if you don’t have experience with this kind of preparation) 1 growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Moved to FOSSIL PREPARATION. 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...
GreatHoatzin Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 Thanks for the info! I'm pretty new to this so I'll have to look into getting some equipment. I saw another post that recommended using LimeAway and/or other cleaners to eat at the surrounding rock, but leave the fossils undamaged. Would this be a sufficient method? (If this is a limestone-based composition)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 There's a process to acid prepping that has to be strictly adhered to in order to keep from damaging the specimens. Lime Away is an acid based cleaner with unknown other substances. You're better off using 5% acetic acid. If the fossils are calcitic, you'll dissolve them as well during the process. I would not recommend acid prep for a novice preparator. Prep equipment requires a significant investment that is not tenable unless you plan to prep regularly. Even a basic setup can easily cost $1k. There are a lot of threads related to prep setup on the forum. 1 Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatHoatzin Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 50 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said: There's a process to acid prepping that has to be strictly adhered to in order to keep from damaging the specimens. Lime Away is an acid based cleaner with unknown other substances. You're better off using 5% acetic acid. If the fossils are calcitic, you'll dissolve them as well during the process. I would not recommend acid prep for a novice preparator. Prep equipment requires a significant investment that is not tenable unless you plan to prep regularly. Even a basic setup can easily cost $1k. Okay, thanks. I think I'll hold off on cleaning for a while until I can get things together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 3 hours ago, GreatHoatzin said: Okay, thanks. I think I'll hold off on cleaning for a while until I can get things together. If the matrix on top of the fossils is soft, you can try scrubbing with a toothbrush and a gentle rinse with water. Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatHoatzin Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 56 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said: If the matrix on top of the fossils is soft, you can try scrubbing with a toothbrush and a gentle rinse with water. I will try this, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted September 3, 2022 Share Posted September 3, 2022 Maybe place a little vinegar on one of the obscure brachiopods and seen if it improves its appearance. If so, I would try a SHORT soak in a vinegar bath and a LONG bath in water afterwards. It works well for my hash plates in Minnesota and costs less than $1000!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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