Chemical Prep with Acid

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Chemical Prep with Acid

Posted by idigfossils ( 65.102.16.XXX ) on October 22, 2004 at 09:36:27:
Here is a before and after picture of an ammonite collected on our last outing to Central Oregon. In the past, most of what we found didn’t have any shell material on them. This one, like many others from the trip has some thin shell. I tried cleaning them with soap and water but that didn’t help much. I tried using the air abrasive but the shell material was too delicate. Finally I headed to Home Depot and picked up some Muriatic Acid (31% hydrochloric acid). I tested a small piece of ammonite but the acid was a too strong and quickly dissolved the shell. I began to dilute the Muriatic Acid down to about 10% hydrochloric acid. After removing some matrix and cleaning out the inner whorl of this ammonite I used a Q-Tip to apply the acid to clean the shell. I had a sodium bicarbonate and water bath close by to quickly neutralize the acid. Once it dried I applied a thin coat of Butvar to help keep the shell from peeling off.
There are a few safety issues that one needs to be concerned with when using acid. Make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area and dress appropriately. Wear a mask with an acid-grade filter, eye protection and gloves.
Over and out,
idigfossils

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Re: Chemical Prep with Acid RB 05:31:28 10/24/04 (0)
Re: Chemical Prep with Acid jpc 10:35:10 10/23/04 (0)

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Message: : Here is a before and after picture of an ammonite collected on our last outing to Central Oregon. In the past, most of what we found didn’t have any shell material on them. This one, like many others from the trip has some thin shell. I tried cleaning them with soap and water but that didn’t help much. I tried using the air abrasive but the shell material was too delicate. Finally I headed to Home Depot and picked up some Muriatic Acid (31% hydrochloric acid). I tested a small piece of ammonite but the acid was a too strong and quickly dissolved the shell. I began to dilute the Muriatic Acid down to about 10% hydrochloric acid. After removing some matrix and cleaning out the inner whorl of this ammonite I used a Q-Tip to apply the acid to clean the shell. I had a sodium bicarbonate and water bath close by to quickly neutralize the acid. Once it dried I applied a thin coat of Butvar to help keep the shell from peeling off. : There are a few safety issues that one needs to be concerned with when using acid. Make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area and dress appropriately. Wear a mask with an acid-grade filter, eye protection and gloves. : Over and out, : idigfossils

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Message:	: Here is a before and after picture of an ammonite collected on our last outing to Central Oregon. In the past, most of what we found didn’t have any shell material on them. This one, like many others from the trip has some thin shell. I tried cleaning them with soap and water but that didn’t help much. I tried using the air abrasive but the shell material was too delicate. Finally I headed to Home Depot and picked up some Muriatic Acid (31% hydrochloric acid). I tested a small piece of ammonite but the acid was a too strong and quickly dissolved the shell. I began to dilute the Muriatic Acid down to about 10% hydrochloric acid. After removing some matrix and cleaning out the inner whorl of this ammonite I used a Q-Tip to apply the acid to clean the shell. I had a sodium bicarbonate and water bath close by to quickly neutralize the acid. Once it dried I applied a thin coat of Butvar to help keep the shell from peeling off. : There are a few safety issues that one needs to be concerned with when using acid. Make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area and dress appropriately. Wear a mask with an acid-grade filter, eye protection and gloves. : Over and out, : idigfossils
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