mjhouse72
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2015
Posts: 11 
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Post by mjhouse72 on Aug 7, 2016 9:08:54 GMT -5
Hello! I bought some really awesome chunks of petrified wood from northern Arizona. I'm not sure exactly, but it looks to me like it's a chert type material, with red, yellow, black and white streaks. My biggest piece has a little bit of limestone type rock attached in different places on it that I'd like to clean off. It's much softer than the petrified wood. It's in small amounts all over the rock, and then one whole side has a inch thick layer of the material with some conglomerate cement action. Is there any way to dissolve the c limestone type rock off? I tried pouring vinegar over it but didn't notice anything. Link to pics imgur.com/a/C1alhThanks!! |
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Post by Peruano on Aug 7, 2016 10:19:43 GMT -5
It its really a calcium salt like caliche, you can use a diluted solution of muriatic acid (always add acid to water not water to acid) and be careful with eyes and skin contact. However some of the white may be the white patina that develops on agatized material and it will not be touched by acid (use a diamond wheel or grit in a tumbler).
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Post by broseph82 on Aug 7, 2016 15:10:47 GMT -5
Use some CLR
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mjhouse72
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by mjhouse72 on Aug 8, 2016 19:05:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the ideas! I'll try the CLR first since i have it here already
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mjhouse72
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by mjhouse72 on Aug 9, 2016 20:46:52 GMT -5
How long would you guys imagine it would take to dissolve the calcium? I've had the rock in a combination of CLR and water for about 24 hours, and it looks like it might be doing something but I'm not sure. I also didn't use a ton of CLR..maybe 1 to 10 ratio
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 9, 2016 22:40:12 GMT -5
I use hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) to remove calcium deposits from rocks. How long it takes depends on things such as how concentrated the acid is, how much acid is present and how much calcification there is. After a while you can put some rubber gloves on take the rock out and try to scrape some of the softened calcium off to speed things up.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 12:23:42 GMT -5
How long would you guys imagine it would take to dissolve the calcium? I've had the rock in a combination of CLR and water for about 24 hours, and it looks like it might be doing something but I'm not sure. I also didn't use a ton of CLR..maybe 1 to 10 ratio At that dilution? 1000 years. In a properly sized bucket add enough full strength muriatic acid to submerge the piece. Place lid. Come back a week later. Have a hose nearby, where heavy rubber gloves, wear eye protection and crappy old clothes when u do this. Washing soda (Walmart) neutralizes when job is complete. Muriatic Acid is sold commonly for pools and spas... |
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mjhouse72
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by mjhouse72 on Aug 11, 2016 18:10:47 GMT -5
Thanks again for the advice! I will get some muriatic Acid shortly. It's been two more days and it is working a little, but you are right it would take such a long time with how diluted it is.
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