calybos
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 8
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Post by calybos on Sept 17, 2024 14:25:14 GMT -5
Has anyone experimented with stronger cleaning methods for your rock specimens than just water (or Iron Out) and a brush? I've seen discussions of paint sprayers, pressure washers, and even textile-grade cleaning spray guns. Do you have any experience with them, positive or negative?
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Sept 17, 2024 14:26:52 GMT -5
I like pressure washers. Great for getting crap out
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 17, 2024 14:33:22 GMT -5
All depends on the stone. Some cleaning chemicals can damage some stones. And things like pressure washers can damage some specimens. Even ultrasonic cleaners are not good for some stones.
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Post by pebblesky on Sept 17, 2024 15:04:28 GMT -5
I really wanted to try sandblaster.
In reality I only tried the stainless steel brush which didn't seem to make too much difference than using the electric toothbrush。
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Post by rmf on Sept 17, 2024 15:12:08 GMT -5
I really wanted to try sandblaster. In reality I only tried the stainless steel brush which didn't seem to make too much difference than using the electric toothbrush。 The Platteville Mining Museum used a sand blaster "once" on a big crystal of Galena to clean it. It did not go well. ruined a big cubic crystal. be careful what media you use.
Clean pyrite with a sandblaster with glass beads and use a light touch or greater distance works good on pyrite suns to clean off shale and tarnish.
for cleaning good cubes of pyrite from Spain use baking soda and it cleans off tarnish.
Start with baking soda and work up for delicate things. for agates/jasper where you are tumbling or slabbing silica sand is ok.
You can also blast with walnut shells and corn cobs for other things like native copper/silver ...
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Sept 17, 2024 22:21:57 GMT -5
vegasjames brings up a good point. I’d also like to clarify, I only use the pressure washer on stuff like Seam agates, jaspers, and stuff like that. It’s to get clay and crap out before it goes in my saw
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python
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2024
Posts: 292
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Post by python on Sept 17, 2024 23:17:43 GMT -5
I recently purchased a power cleaner from Ryobi to help clean rocks that we self-collect. It is not as powerful as a power washer as the max is 600psi. But care should still be taken when using it as Vegasjames mentioned, it could be too powerful for some types of specimens. This is what it looks like:  |
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 8:53:56 GMT -5
*blinks and stares* I spent HOW many months scrubbing things with brushes when I have an unopened paint sprayer in the garage?!?!!!! And I have pretty much all of it now….
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 473
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Post by herb on Sept 18, 2024 9:40:37 GMT -5
I use a textile gun for cleaning the gunk out of geodes and thundereggs when i flat lap polish them. Its basically a miniature pressure washer so all the same warnings and cautions apply. The nice thing about the gun is you can easily hold it farther away to make the stream not be so strong. I've had it pop off (apparently) loose crystals, and other minor damage. Now when i am worried about a piece I start off farther away so i use the minimal amount of pressure to het the job done. Takes longer to do the cleaning but minimizes the chance of damage.
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