Post by jakesrocks on May 10, 2013 11:27:11 GMT -5
I tried an experiment, which I'm happy to report was a big success.
I had about a dozen Fairburn agates that were sort of ho hum, and needed a good cleaning. I wanted to work indoors, so obviously acid was out of the question. So I used Super Iron Out.
#1 -- In a small crock pot that I use just for cleaning agates, I mixed a strong solution of Super Iron Out, and put the agates in.
#2 -- With the crock pot on the warming setting, I let them cook for 24 hours.
#3 -- After removing the agates from the crock pot, I put them in a bucket of
Cold water which I changed every hour for the next 6 hours.
#4 -- Put the agates in a pie pan in the oven to dry at around 200 degrees
For 2 hours.
#5 -- After cleaning the crock pot, put the agates back in and cover
with mineral oil.
#6 -- Cook the agates in mineral oil for 2 hours on low heat
#7 -- Drain and dry agates with a lint free cloth.
#7 -- Display and enjoy beautifully cleaned specimen agates.
I'm at the soaking in water stage right now. The agates will be dried and oiled soon. I'll post pics of the results later this evening. All I can say right now is, WOW !! What a difference this process made. The colors and banding in the agates really popped out.
I should point out that even Super Iron Out can be hazardous to work with. Only use low heat, and keep the lid on the crock pot until everything has cooled down. This stuff for as mild and safe as it is to use will still cause sinus problems if you breath the fumes. I know. I just had to have a peek last night. I got a load of steam in the face, and have had a runny nose ever since.
I had about a dozen Fairburn agates that were sort of ho hum, and needed a good cleaning. I wanted to work indoors, so obviously acid was out of the question. So I used Super Iron Out.
#1 -- In a small crock pot that I use just for cleaning agates, I mixed a strong solution of Super Iron Out, and put the agates in.
#2 -- With the crock pot on the warming setting, I let them cook for 24 hours.
#3 -- After removing the agates from the crock pot, I put them in a bucket of
Cold water which I changed every hour for the next 6 hours.
#4 -- Put the agates in a pie pan in the oven to dry at around 200 degrees
For 2 hours.
#5 -- After cleaning the crock pot, put the agates back in and cover
with mineral oil.
#6 -- Cook the agates in mineral oil for 2 hours on low heat
#7 -- Drain and dry agates with a lint free cloth.
#7 -- Display and enjoy beautifully cleaned specimen agates.
I'm at the soaking in water stage right now. The agates will be dried and oiled soon. I'll post pics of the results later this evening. All I can say right now is, WOW !! What a difference this process made. The colors and banding in the agates really popped out.
I should point out that even Super Iron Out can be hazardous to work with. Only use low heat, and keep the lid on the crock pot until everything has cooled down. This stuff for as mild and safe as it is to use will still cause sinus problems if you breath the fumes. I know. I just had to have a peek last night. I got a load of steam in the face, and have had a runny nose ever since.
