john&liz Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Hi everyone.... I have now collected from a number of spots in which I collected shell fossils (Schoharie, NY is the most recent) that could use a little help. Is there any sort of solution I could soak these in (I have quartz crystals from PA that I soaked in oxalic acid) that will dissolve the surrounding limestone but not hurt the fossils (which are preserved in a darker, shale blue gray color)? I realize that this is a bit vague, but my geology is bait weak here. I have a bunch of pieces that are low-grade enough to experiment with... I say this to encourage dialogue. If anyone has collected shell fossils from NY and have soaked them in any type of acid, please let me know.... thanks so much..... John&Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocks Anne Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Welcome to the forum. I didn't realize there were shell fossils in Schoharie - I was there a few weeks ago. (Sorry I can't answer your question - I just use a toothbrush and dish soap! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Hello. You could try plain old vinegar, and see what that does for you. Make sure when using any acid that you thoroughly rinse with water, to remove any acid, or it will continue to etch the fossils. Muriatic acid can be used, in varying degrees of dilution, ... but make sure to do it in a well ventilated area, and use any safety precautions recommended on the container. The problem with the acids, however, are that they tend to destroy the fossils as well, if you are not super careful. Another alternative is to try air abrasive preparation, or invest in an inexpensive rotary tool (they sell them at my local Harbor Freight for 7 or 8 bucks!) and try to prep with a wire brush attachment. Electric engravers are another alternative. Good old fashioned dental pics work well, but are more time consuming. Hope this helps. Regards, 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...
Indy Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Would be interesting in seeing before and after pictures experimenting using different solutions Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas-Tunnel Rat Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I usally use warm water and brush depending on shell. Acids are used to break down the tougher stuff. PUBLICATIONS Dallas Paleontology Society Occasional Papers Vol. 9 2011 "Pennsylvanian Stratigraphy and Paleoecology of Outcrops in Jacksboro, Texas" Author Texas Paleontology Society Feb, 2011 "Index Fossils and You" A primer on how to utilize fossils to assist in relative age dating strata" Author Quotes "Beer, Bacon, and Bivalves!" "Say NO to illegal fossil buying / selling" "They belong in a museum." Education Associates of Science - 2011 Bachelors of Science (Geology & Biology) - 2012 est. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Even vinegar should be diluted! But you are on the right track using low grade specimens to test it. Pop the specimen into the solution and watch it at first to make sure it isn't attacking the fossil too vigorously. I've had a few just kind of explode on me when the solution got into deep cracks and the fizzing was too strong. Once you feel confident the acid isn't being too aggressive just set a timer for 10-15 minute intervals. You need to pull them out every so often and scrub away what has been loosened and maybe refresh the solution. Some folks will also wash them in a baking soda solution to neutralize and stop further reaction. I learned this after some of my Texas Cretaceous stuff would grow weird Lavendar crystals after I had used glacial acetic acid. Still don't know what those crystals were. I have a large collection from Schoharie as well. I have cleaned most of the better brachs with just elbow grease. Start with warm soapy water and a tooth brush. Some of the tougher stuff was removed with a dental pick under a magnifier. And I also sometimes use a brass wire brush wheel on my Dremel. But the great thing about that site is, that if you go back often enough, you eventually find perfect specimens for almost all the species. And there are lots of species to find. Show us your stuff once it's cleaned up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WetlandDad Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 So...I was going to put together a new post regarding my situation but since this is already a thread. I will lay it out... I have a C. jeffersonius shell fossil that I just picked up over the weekend that is riddled with barnacles...fairly decent-sized ones at that. I have removed a fair amount of them from the exterior surface. I am however sometimes too strong of a touch for my own good. Which brings me to my query...what should I do to remove most if not all of the barnacles from this specimen WITHOUT causing damage? I am in the works of procuring a Dremel tool, but is there something that might work to help the process along in the meantime? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 ...what should I do to remove most if not all of the barnacles from this specimen WITHOUT causing damage?... Oof, this is going to be a tough job! Barnacles cling like, well, barnacles (probably the strongest cement in the natural world), and Miocene fossil shells can be extremely fragile. I think your only real hope is a light touch and world-class patience. There is nothing I can think of that might chemically attack the barnacle attachment without attacking the fossil as well, so physical removal with a light touch seems the only hope. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I think the barnacles make the shells more interesting. "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WetlandDad Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Well this is where I have stopped with the removal process for now...what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I think you are patient, and are blessed with a good touch and a steady hand. Your results speak for themselves; I know that I would have made a real mess of it. Well done! "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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