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Compressor Oil Removal from Trilobite


Cluros

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I had an accident last night while preparing a trilobite from a new location. I had just finished air abraiding the trilobite and was getting ready to start using my landscaping scribe. Just after I started smoothing out the matrix apparently a drop of oil sprayed out of the tool onto the trilobite and matrix. I tried soaking it in water with dish detergent since the soap has a mild de-greaser in it but it didn't help. Any suggestions on how to salvage this piece would be greatly appreciated as it's only the second complete trilobite from this area in seven years and it's nicely inflated. I know why oil came out the tip of the tool (that issue is fixed) so I really just need some advice on how to clean it or suggestions to improve its appearance.

Thanks,

Andy

591e05e19acad_IMG_20170518_161522680(1).thumb.jpg.cedf15701c5e1ee540b9e189dc0417ef.jpg

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I keep coming back to this thread, I wish I could help you!

 

Always sad to mess up a specimen.

 

Let's try @Ptychodus04 he does a bit of prep!

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Uggh. Hate when those kind of accidents happen.

 

Don't know if this will help, Andy- but it might be worth a try. 

 

"Liquid dish soap or laundry detergent will remove most oil stains on pavers. Directly apply the soap to the stain and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. Then scrub with a nylon bristle brush and rinse with hot water. Repeat this step as needed."

Good Luck! :fingerscrossed:

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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Acetone should take it off. If the trilobite and matrix are very stable, I would soak the whole thing in acetone overnight. 

 

The oil is probably soaked well into the matrix so it will take some time for everything to come out.

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Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will try the least aggressive first and work my way up in attack. Thanks for the ideas. I will repost a photo once I've gotten the oil off or tried everything.

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So I tried soaking the whole piece in liquid dish detergent for an hour followed by scrubbing it with a toothbrush under hot water and I would say that was 90% effective. Acetone on a cutip didn't do anything so I then submersed it in acetone for a half hour followed by air drying and then a clean water rinse. At this point the trilobite and matrix appeared oil free. I then took apart my air scribe, cleaned it thoroughly and then air abraided a piece of scrap limestone until no more oil was spraying on the matrix. At this point I attempted to landscape the rock and it sprayed oil on the fossil again so it looked like the original photo in this post. Then I cycled the scribe on and off until no more oil sprayed out. I then soaked the trilobite in dish detergent for another half hour followed  by a scrubbing with the tooth brush under hot water. This time the air scribe worked fine and I was able to finish smoothing the matrix. Below is a photo of the finished product.

 

IMG_20170519_211009098.thumb.jpg.d302eeedad4da409ecc645f72167dbf3.jpg

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Looks great, Andy ! Glad the methods  posted worked out for you. :) 

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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  • 2 weeks later...

Andy the tabling of your specimen on native matrix is well thought out and balances the piece very nicely.  Well done.

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