MeargleSchmeargl Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I have been wanting to make this post for a while, but haven't gotten around to actually getting good pics until today. I have got myself one of the better Platystrophia brachiopods from my Nashville trip in August. It has a good bit of gunk stuck in the radial ribs, and I would at least like to clear a good bit of it out. Any cost effective tips? pics: Pedicle valve Brachial valve Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil Claw Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hand scribe it or airabrassion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Air abrasion would be best. If lacking the tools and funds to go that route, you could use a dental pick, pin vise, or hand scribe to remove the excess matrix. Sometimes, a good scrubbing with hot water, soap, and a plastic brush can work wonders. Use magnification to see what you are doing. You might experiment with vinegar to see if that will remove matrix. Be careful not to harm the fossil - make sure you soak with water afterwards. 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...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Air abrasion would be best. If lacking the tools and funds to go that route, you could use a dental pick, pin vise, or hand scribe to remove the excess matrix. Sometimes, a good scrubbing with hot water, soap, and a plastic brush can work wonders. Use magnification to see what you are doing. You might experiment with vinegar to see if that will remove matrix. Be careful not to harm the fossil - make sure you soak with water afterwards. Regards, Hmm, I think with the resources I have I will try out vinegar first. If anyone has any tips on that, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for current tips ^.^ Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hmm, I think with the resources I have I will try out vinegar first. If anyone has any tips on that, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for current tips ^.^ Some of the guys here on the Forum use sewing needles - harden it by heating and then dunking in cold water,... then sharpen with a file or grinding wheel. Add duct tape for a makeshift handle. 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...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Some of the guys here on the Forum use sewing needles - harden it by heating and then dunking in cold water,... then sharpen with a file or grinding wheel. Add duct tape for a makeshift handle. Cool! Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil Claw Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 You can get these awesome needlepoint scribes and your local Ace Hardware for about 7 Bucks. I find they work better than dental picks. If you want to go to the dental pick routr you can get a pack of those really cheap at Harbor Freight Tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I've just used a ultrasonic cleaner on some fossils today. Might not remove everything (tho did on mine with two blasts of 500 seconds) but it'll help before you poke with a pokey thing and may save a little time. John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil Claw Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I've just used a ultrasonic cleaner on some fossils today. Might not remove everything (tho did on mine with two blasts of 500 seconds) but it'll help before you poke with a pokey thing and may save a little time. Just make sure the fossil is nice and hard. I have had an ultrasonic cleaner destroy more delicate fossils. If you poke it with the pick and it does not fall apart it is likely hard enough toss in an ultrasonic cleaner. Lost some tiny enrolled flexi trilos this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 I finally tried out the vinegar treatment and it worked beautifully! It dissolved the vast majority of the matrix and made the ribs much more pronounced. Also like the different color! I'll post result pictures when I can get some quality pics. Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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