Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by Debs on Sept 9, 2005 21:15:13 GMT -5
Kim what is the crock pot method? I saw your post about vinegar and thought I would try that on some of mine. I'm with you as I don't want to mess with those other methods.
|
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 10, 2005 9:51:04 GMT -5
Here are three of the clusters from the basket I ordered from Coleman mines..these were cleaned using Iron Out and steam...    this is one of the three before cleaning...  Pho |
|
|
|
Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 10, 2005 10:22:26 GMT -5
debs i copied this from this link rockhoundingar.com/quartz/cleaning.html"Experiences with Cookers To clean small pieces, you need to search for cookers at yard/garage sales. Whenever you find a crock pot (the slow cooker ceramic-lined type) for $4 or less, buy it!.You can get some 10 to 12 processing cycles before the acid finds its way through a hairline crack in the ceramic inner glaze and corrodes the heating element. But that's OK, if you got 10 gallons of small quartz specimens cleaned, then it's worth it. Place the specimens in the crock pot, add cold water, then a couple of ounces of dry oxalic acid and top off with cool water. Be sure the water is above the crystals because any crystal sticking out will not get cleaned. Cover with the glass or plastic lid, plug in and set the temperature control to low. Check this every two days and add a little warm water as needed to keep the crystals submerged. DO NOT DO THIS IN THE HOUSE. ACID VAPORS ARE POISONOUS. After about a week, turn the crock pot off and let it cool down overnight. Do not get too anxious to pull the crystals out while they are hot or they will shatter from the thermal shock. Then remove the specimens and rinse them thoroughly. If your specimens begins to grow a white powder as they dry, place them back in a clean crock pot, add water and a 1/3 a cup of baking soda, and cook overnight. This will neutralize the remaining acid as it comes out of the nooks and crannies of the specimens. If this does not work to get rid of the white powder problem, then you will need to cook them again in clean water with baking soda as a neutralizer." pho mine don't look like that yet - waaaaaaaaaaaa. kim |
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 10, 2005 10:51:30 GMT -5
Kim..I soaked these in Iron Out for about 3 hours,,,washed them off with the garden hose and used a small pick to get down into the groves and holes where I could. I then used a steam machine and it worked great....even cleans fingers...
You can soak them in Iron Out as many times as you need to.
The wife wants to try that crock pot method..but I think it's way too slow...I want instant results...
Pho
|
|
|
|
Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 10, 2005 11:10:36 GMT -5
what kind of steam machine pho? did you have to heat the iron out or just use it cold water? did you have to wear gloves to use the iron out?
do you wear a mask when you are working with these things pho? what kind if so?
did you use the same bucket/container for the iron out that you had used the oxalic acid in?
kim
|
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 10, 2005 12:08:37 GMT -5
I just used a normal steamer we got at Walgreens...using only clean water in it.
The Iron Out I used in cold water and a plaxtic bucket. Let the crystals soak for a few hours. I do not use gloves or a mask for the Iron Out. It is very safe to use.
I have a smaller bucket that I drilled drain holes in that fits into my 5 gallon bucket...makes it so easy to just lift the bucket out and let the water drain out. I rinse the crystals while they are still in the smaller bucket.
Iron out can be bought at your local lumber yard..look in the plumbing section.
I always work outside when I clean the crystals.....I tend to get a little messy and the wife won't let me do it in the house...
Pho
|
|
deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
|
Post by deepsouth on Sept 10, 2005 14:30:28 GMT -5
I did not heed your warning and my floor is awash..need a super kingsize towel now
Jack
|
|
Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by Debs on Sept 10, 2005 14:38:03 GMT -5
Cool idea Pho! Just looked into my laundry closet and found a bottle of Iron Out. I am going to try it on the quartz I found in Colorado. Much safer and faster method. Also have a Steam Cleaner Vac I can use afterwards. Thanks for posting this helpful and simple to use info!
|
|
Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by Debs on Sept 10, 2005 14:38:46 GMT -5
Oh how much Iron Out did you use in the bucket and how much cold water?
|
|
|
|
Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 10, 2005 14:51:24 GMT -5
yeah pho how much!? i just got back with my iron out. have mercy that was hard to find. it was in the paint section but i found it. does it have to be neutralized with baking soda too?
ok the hole in the bucket thing caused my mouth to fly right open pho! that is such a perfect solution to getting them out, rinsing them, and not losing your solution.
kim
|
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 10, 2005 15:24:15 GMT -5
Typical man,,,I do not measure how much Iron Out I use..I just pour some in. I only put in as much water to cover the quartz....when I am done with it I have a spot where I want to kill some weeds and such so I pour it there but have poured it on normal grass with no problems.
Just a rough guess I recon I put in about a cup of Iron Out to a gallon or so of water. I reuse it a few times too. Take one batch out and put another one in. If it starts to turn real read or green, then it's time to dump it. I do not neutralize it.
Yeah Kim the bucket with holes is a real good thing. Put lots of holes in it. I drilled mine about half way up the bucket.
I'll post a picture of it for ya..
Pho
|
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 10, 2005 15:32:01 GMT -5
Here is the bucket system I use and it works well for me.    You may have to soak your clusters several times to get all the rust/coloring out. Also, get a small pick so you can clean out all the holes and creveces out. The Iron Out WILL NOT REMOVE CLAY OR MUD ! You will still have to do some manual removal. Pho |
|
|
|
Post by krazydiamond on Sept 10, 2005 16:10:12 GMT -5
 wow those cleaned up magnificently, Pho! absolutely gorgeous! KD
|
|
Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by Debs on Sept 10, 2005 17:44:50 GMT -5
Hey Kim, I forgot to tell you that you can usually find the iron out in the detergent section of your local grocery store. There is also one called yellow out but I am not sure if it's the same thing or not? I used 1/3 cup of Iron Out and enough cold water to cover them. Think I will leave them outside, baking...LOL! and check on them on sunday. It seems almost too easy! LOL! I can't wait to see how these turn out!
|
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 10, 2005 18:14:13 GMT -5
Debs..sometimes I leave mine soaking overnight too. Sure won't hurt the crystals...
Pho
|
|
phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
|
Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 14, 2005 8:24:51 GMT -5
OK..I opened the tire this morning and was pleased with most of the pet wood. There is about half that I will take the dremel to and smooth out some very rough spots and put it back in for another week of 60/90. All the medium and smaller pieces turned out very smooth..ready to move up. Looks like this is a workable tumbler so far.
Pho
|
|
|
|
Post by creativeminded on Sept 15, 2005 9:06:17 GMT -5
Those are some nice crystals.
Tami
|
|
wow those cleaned up magnificently, Pho!
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
