West4me Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 On a recent trip to some western states I managed to make a few stops to do some fossil hunting. At one location I found some leaves in some very soft sandstone, well what I would call sandstone. I would be more than happy to be corrected if I am wrong. I was wondering if anyone had any tricks up their sleeves for cleaning them up without doing any damage? Here are a coupe of pictures for reference. "You have to listen. It is under the rocks." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 West4me, Good to see you back on the Forum! What have you tried thus far? Are the fossils imprints, ... or are they a film? Usually, I clean with a bit of water and a soft bristle toothbrush,... or a really soft bristle paintbrush. Slow and steady, with lots of patience. If the fossils are a film - you might want to test an unimportant one, or part of one, to see what will do the trick for you. Good luck! Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "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...
West4me Posted June 15, 2010 Author Share Posted June 15, 2010 It is good to be back. Been out west for quite awhile I have not tried anything. They seem so fragile that I wanted some advice first. The leaves appear as a different color than the stone, they are a redish brown. Does that make them a film? "You have to listen. It is under the rocks." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Possibly. I would just take it slow, and try a few different things on some smaller fossils or small areas of a larger fossil. Cotton swabs or Q-tips will work too - just take it easy. Sometimes, experimentation is the only way. Live and learn, as it were. And, welcome back! Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "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...
Auspex Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 If the matrix is friable, and the fossil trace wants to crumble off with it, it may be best to just hose them down with hairspray. As said, practice and test on an unseen area. Welcome back "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...
JimB88 Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 If they are a film definitely consolidate it with a spray on fixative (hairspray will work, but if theres an art store near you you should find a selection of spray-able fixatives.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West4me Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 Thanks for all the advice. I tested with a tooth brush and was satisfied with the results. I will get some hairspray or fixative and post some better pics tomorrow. "You have to listen. It is under the rocks." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramo Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I have found a few leaf imprints in Dakota sandstone. To make them show up better against the surrounding rock, I coat just the leaf with a clear finish. This makes them stand out a lot better, and helps to protect them. Ramo For one species to mourn the death of another is a new thing under the sun. -Aldo Leopold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts