Yomynameishannah Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Hi everybody! I was wondering what would be the best products to clean fossils with? And what would be the best tools to use to chip away dirt and stuff? I have mostly ammonites, but I do have some gastropods, a few devils toenails. And what is the best way to clean fossils? And are products and tools universal for any fossil? Or can you only clean, do certain things to certain fossils? Sorry for so many questions. I just want to be able to get my fossils looking great:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 You can get started with old dental picks. "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...
Yomynameishannah Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 You can get started with old dental picks. You can get started with old dental picks. thanks! Where can I get them from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 thanks! Where can I get them from? Ask your dentist; they go through a lot of them. "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...
Pumpkinhead Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Investing in a good rock hammer and chisel never hurts. Also, if you can't find any dental picks sewing needles work just fine. A magnifying glass for detail work is helpful also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 The more reluctant the matrix is to come away from the fossil, the more specialized (and expensive) your prep equipment will need to be. I assume it's mostly easier in TX than it is up here in my area...? The trick is to attack the matrix as effectively as possible while avoiding scratching or abrading or dissolving the fossil itself. That's my armchair advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 You seem to collect mostly Cretaceous stuff, so you would probably have a much easier time preparing specimens than I would as I have to deal with limestone and dolomite while you have chalk which is not as hard. The options that have already been presented to you should fit your needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 It depends on the matrix down here. At one site I can break off most of the matrix with just my hands, another site TNT is the only way to remove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 And that's the way the cookie crumbles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrguy54 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 I do a lot of prep work on the cheap. I have several sizes of chisels, dental picks, safety pins, my wife's toothbrush (LOL), metal brushes, dremel with several different attachments. Sometimes the dental picks can be expensive, so if there's a Harbor Freight near you they sell a white plastic packet containing similar tools at a MUCH cheaper price. And they have a super fine point that may not stay as sharp as long, depending on the material. You can also find some good, cheap but short lived brushes there, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Also remember that not all matrix has to be removed. Some specimens look very good still in the matrix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yomynameishannah Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 Investing in a good rock hammer and chisel never hurts. Also, if you can't find any dental picks sewing needles work just fine. A magnifying glass for detail work is helpful also. thank you! I tried the sewing needle and the matrix came off easily my shell looks better now! The more reluctant the matrix is to come away from the fossil, the more specialized (and expensive) your prep equipment will need to be. I assume it's mostly easier in TX than it is up here in my area...? The trick is to attack the matrix as effectively as possible while avoiding scratching or abrading or dissolving the fossil itself. That's my armchair advice! great armchair advice!! I think it is a bit easier with most stuff. I do have one fossil I'm trying to use a sewing needle with and it won't budge though. I was thinking king of using a dremel but am too scared to use it! Lol I do a lot of prep work on the cheap. I have several sizes of chisels, dental picks, safety pins, my wife's toothbrush (LOL), metal brushes, dremel with several different attachments. Sometimes the dental picks can be expensive, so if there's a Harbor Freight near you they sell a white plastic packet containing similar tools at a MUCH cheaper price. And they have a super fine point that may not stay as sharp as long, depending on the material. You can also find some good, cheap but short lived brushes there, too. oh my gosh, Haha! Your poor wife..I'm sure fossil dust makes a great toothpaste! I was thinking of using a dremel but am too scared I'll mess up and or injure myself somehow, but have been using a safety pin/sewing needle and its worked for the most part on some of my fossils! I'm not sure if I have a harbor freight around here but I'll definitely check that out. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yomynameishannah Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 Oh and does anybody know how to use the beeswax I bought? I tried applying it to a rag but..it didnt really do anything. The one I got is from Joann fabric store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrguy54 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 I agree, whenever possible leaving the piece in (or "on") matrix looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_ed Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 To use the beeswax .. you need a small propane torch. you heat the rock and melt the wax onto the hot rock, then wipe off the excess while it is still hot. Cheers Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 As to preparation tips, you should check out our special forum on the subject if you haven't already done so: http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/forum/170-fossil-preparation/ Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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