Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 6, 2022 8:12:28 GMT -5
I picked this up on a hike at Lake Pleasant a couple of years ago. I was wondering if there was any way to clean the sediment from the inside without damaging it? The only thing I’ve done is soak it in cold water and scrubbed it with a soft tooth brush. If better photos are needed I can take more when I get home.  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2022 9:05:11 GMT -5
I would probably try Iron Out...  |
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Post by RickB on Jan 6, 2022 9:31:37 GMT -5
I would probably try Iron Out... Jason, to me that looks more like a secondary growth/crust than an iron stain. Kimmers Try a little vinegar on the affected area and see if it bubbles/fizzes up a little. If so, then perhaps vinegar or a stronger acid will take it off. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2022 9:36:06 GMT -5
I would probably try Iron Out... Jason, to me that looks more like a secondary growth/crust than an iron stain. Kimmers Try a little vinegar on the affected area and see if it bubbles/fizzes up a little. If so, then perhaps a stronger acid will take it off. Good catch!  |
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 6, 2022 9:40:14 GMT -5
RickB Thanks! I'll try it when I get home. It does seem like a crust/cement rather than a stain. I was afraid to chip at it because I did not want to damage the tiny crystals. They are super hard to pick up with the camera.
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 6, 2022 9:42:09 GMT -5
jasoninsd Thank you for the suggestion as well, but I agree that I don't think it's a stain.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 6, 2022 9:50:31 GMT -5
jasoninsd Thank you for the suggestion as well, but I agree that I don't think it's a stain. Even Babe Ruth struck out sometimes! LOL Rick definitely has the right idea on this one... Let us know how it turns out. |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446 
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Post by wpotterw on Jan 6, 2022 10:58:01 GMT -5
I picked this up on a hike at Lake Pleasant a couple of years ago. I was wondering if there was any way to clean the sediment from the inside without damaging it? The only thing I’ve done is soak it in cold water and scrubbed it with a soft tooth brush. If better photos are needed I can take more when I get home. Muriatic acid might clean it or destroy it depending on what the underlying mineral is... |
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Post by victor1941 on Jan 6, 2022 11:04:35 GMT -5
Looks like a good entry for this months cab contest.
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Post by Starguy on Jan 6, 2022 11:12:55 GMT -5
Oxalic acid works well for cleaning quartz crystals. I used muriatic acid to clean garnets. Muriatic acid is nasty stuff. Outdoor use only. It can be neutralized with water and baking soda. Plastic container only for the muriatic. It will eat through metal or concrete. Extreme care must be used to keep it off skin, out of eyes etc.
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 6, 2022 12:20:50 GMT -5
And always remember to always add acid to water!
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 6, 2022 16:10:51 GMT -5
Looks like a good entry for this months cab contest. What is the cab contest? Starguy and NDK - thank you both for the tips and reminders. I had already been looking about the safety aspects and neutralization for the acid but I did not read about plastic vs metal bucket. That's a great thing to know. Also thank you for reaffirming that it was acid into water! I was like 98% sure but it's been a long time since high school chemistry. |
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 703
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Post by AzRockGeek on Jan 6, 2022 16:41:01 GMT -5
If it is from the Lake Pleasant area it is either caliche or volcanic ash. If it is caliche, it will dissolve in a mild acid solution as suggested.
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 6, 2022 16:58:16 GMT -5
If it is from the Lake Pleasant area it is either caliche or volcanic ash. If it is caliche, it will dissolve in a mild acid solution as suggested. Thanks! Yes it is. I picked it up off the Pipeline Canyon trail near the water. |
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 6, 2022 19:48:00 GMT -5
UPDATE: So there is some hope. I only had white vinegar at the house so I did a 50/50 solution of warm water and vinegar. There seemed to be some bubbling. I can get some stronger acid, maybe the Oxalic acid since the Muriatic freaks me out a bit. Would citric acid work if I'm SOL on the oxalic acid?
OHHHH and back to the staining (for some other rocks), can I use that rust remover or CLR on quartz safely? I picked up a rose quartz today from a shop that needs to be cleaned up a bit.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,240
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Post by quartzilla on Jan 6, 2022 19:53:15 GMT -5
Oxalic acid works well for cleaning quartz crystals. I used muriatic acid to clean garnets. Muriatic acid is nasty stuff. Outdoor use only. It can be neutralized with water and baking soda. Plastic container only for the muriatic. It will eat through metal or concrete. Extreme care must be used to keep it off skin, out of eyes etc. . Excellent pointing this out. And for those who may not know using acid in the wrong container is called pulling a Pinkman. |
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Post by Starguy on Jan 6, 2022 20:14:20 GMT -5
If the vinegar works, I would use that to soak it in. Much safer. It might take a while but better safe than sorry.
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 7, 2022 21:26:49 GMT -5
Okay so progress…   |
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jan 8, 2022 17:43:17 GMT -5
Wow, what an improvement! Did you use just vinegar,
maybe toothbrush?
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 11, 2022 17:19:34 GMT -5
Wow, what an improvement! Did you use just vinegar, maybe toothbrush? Ugh! I’ve been not feeling great so I forgot to check on it the past few days. I did roughly a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar. I also used a soft bristle toothbrush. Today I got brave and gently used a toothpick for way in the back. |
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