hobopuppy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2007
Posts: 115
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Post by hobopuppy on Sept 18, 2007 21:27:15 GMT -5
I keep coming across rocks with loads of clay on them. Aside from using a pick to scrape it off and hoping like h*ll I don't scratch the rock, is there another way of removing very tough clay?
Thanks all,
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Post by sandsman1 on Sept 18, 2007 21:53:39 GMT -5
i bet if you have a larger tumbler you could just use water and it would remove the clay for you if you let it tumble a day or two
and if the pieces are too large for a tumbler you could power wash them if you have one or can borrow one
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 18, 2007 21:57:30 GMT -5
I'd try high pressure water. If you are cleaning agates/jaspers you won't scratch them with a steel probe.
John at JS Gems
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hobopuppy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2007
Posts: 115
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Post by hobopuppy on Sept 18, 2007 22:33:17 GMT -5
I do have a power washer. I think it's a 1500psi. It gets the clay off the pretties but I can't power wash the fossils I'm cleaning. I guess I should have been more specific. I'm trying to clean fossils and I was hoping that there was a product out there that would at least help loosen the clay,
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Post by pho on Sept 19, 2007 3:47:51 GMT -5
Get one of those small steam cleaners....works well on quartz crystals!
What I do is soak the quartz in a bucket of hot water to help soften up the clay, then use the steam cleaner on it. May take several times doing this but it will get it clean.
Pho
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mirkaba
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 321
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Post by mirkaba on Sept 19, 2007 8:53:37 GMT -5
Howdy........I prospect for gold when I am not rockhounding. The gold particals are often locked up in clay. I have found that a good overnight soak in water with a few drops of Dawn dishwashing soap usually does the trick. When I am washing a clayey material and add a drop or 2 of Dawn you can watch the clay come apart.............Bob
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hobopuppy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2007
Posts: 115
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Post by hobopuppy on Sept 19, 2007 10:53:24 GMT -5
Howdy........I prospect for gold when I am not rockhounding. The gold particals are often locked up in clay. I have found that a good overnight soak in water with a few drops of Dawn dishwashing soap usually does the trick. When I am washing a clayey material and add a drop or 2 of Dawn you can watch the clay come apart.............Bob Ooo, sounds easy enough. I'll give it a try. Thanks Bob! |
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Post by flintfish on Sept 19, 2007 11:53:48 GMT -5
Just an idea - but in Archaeology we used to have to break up heavy clay samples to extract the delicate organic contents, seeds, bones etc... The prefered process was to apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, which would bubble up and help breakdown even the most stubborn of clays. Dunno if it mught help, but just an idea.
Cheers,
H
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hobopuppy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2007
Posts: 115
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Post by hobopuppy on Sept 19, 2007 15:26:25 GMT -5
Certainly worth a shot. Thanks Harry
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 19, 2007 15:43:34 GMT -5
I prep alot of fossils,just finished a Keichousaur.Depending on the matrix my steps to loosen are:
Hydrogen peroxide
Vinegar
Iron out
Muratic acid.
Please wear a mask when using any of these.
Brad
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181lizard
Cave Dweller 
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Sept 20, 2007 13:14:21 GMT -5
God...I LOVE THIS BOARD!
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Post by hermatite on Sept 20, 2007 13:29:48 GMT -5
How come a mask with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide?
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hobopuppy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2007
Posts: 115
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Post by hobopuppy on Sept 20, 2007 13:47:25 GMT -5
I'll second that! I tried the hydrogen peroxide method. Works like a charm...and it's fun to watch the bubbles! ;D |
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 20, 2007 14:14:59 GMT -5
hermatite,some limestones and clays will give off noxious fumes when they react with the chemicals.One should at the very least do it in a well ventilated area.
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Post by flintfish on Sept 20, 2007 15:16:54 GMT -5
Hi Hobopup - Glad it worked for you - always managed to get results for us too. Doesn't take much and it goes all sloppy in no time!  Cheers, Harry |
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Post by larrywyland3 on Sept 20, 2007 15:27:44 GMT -5
lots of good ideas I will have to remember the Dawn and hydrogen peroxide as I have both at home.
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