Cleaning abalone shells

This DIY project is how I clean and paint some of my old abalone shells.
The bleach cleans the cracks were the wire wheel can not reach. The bleach will also remove some of the color if you leave it to long.
I have also seen people use muriatic acid to clean the shells if you want to leave the barnacles on the shell.
It is diluted and the shells are dipped in it for only a few minutes.
These shells are not for sale. It is illegal to buy or sell wildlife in California.
This video was made by me in California about the red abalone. I do not know the rules and regulations of abalone in other parts of the world. These are the rules here in California.
California Fish and Game Code.
Article 2. General Provisions - California Fish and Game Code Section 7121
7121. Except as otherwise provided by this code or by regulation,
it is unlawful to sell or purchase any fish or amphibia taken in, or
brought into, the waters of the state, or brought ashore at any point
in the state.
Section 75
“Sell” includes offer or possess for sale, barter, exchange, or trade.
You can go on E-Bay if you want to buy abalone shells.

[@andyvanderheiden9717]

Dave, thanks for your video! I have used your method several times and have beautiful shells as a result...thanks again!

[@shakirmevati2501]

hello dear andy

[@anitabayonapingo2941]

Porfa las repuesta que sea en castellano porfa soy de peru

[@KingBirb11]

I remember watching this video with my mom when i was like 4 or something. Now im a lot older and have been looking for this video but never could find it. I did.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

I'm glad you found it. What other videos would you like to see?

[@jeanniecarroll8704]

Really enjoyed watching your video on how to clean Abalone shells.Now I can clean my own. Thank-You

[@hollifam]

I had a beautiful red abalone shell I'd saved from a trip to Half Moon Bay as a child in the 70's. We ate the abalone at a bonfire and it was one of those happy memories I never lost. A couple years back a house guest in North Carolina stole my shell, and I was devastated. We don't have abalone in NC and I couldn't find a similar shell anywhere online. I posted about it about a month ago, and one of my high school (diving) friends from California scouted the beaches for me, and found 3 beautiful Pacific Reds! She shipped them to me with the seawater and sand, and when I unwrapped the box it took me right back to my happy place. :) I'm looking for ways to clean the shells without scraping away too many lovely little things they've picked up. I thought maybe immersing them in sand and salt water and scrubbing by hand with a cloth and stiff bristle brush? I don't want to use bleach, is that really critical?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

You don't have to use bleach. The bleach will not remove the hardened little things on the shell, It brightens them up, makes the colors pop.

[@tranquility9325]

I have an intense passion for gems and for organic gems as well..and frankly only have seen the inside of the abalone for the most part. My gramma had part of an abalone shell but I do not remember what the outside of it looks like. I am stunned by the beauty..ty for sharing.

[@yoncalla44]

Hi there - my method of cleaning Haliotis is to wire brush the dorsal (back) side, moving the brush along the contours (growth lines) of the shell. Any remaining calcium crud I pick off with either a dentist's curette or the fine metal tip of a mechanical pencil ( not with the lead, just the metal tip that the lead issues from). I then smear petroleum jelly on the inside of the shell, into the perforations with a Q-tip, and any exposed nacreous areas on the dorsum, like the spire area, making sure all the nacre is coated. Then I submerge into pure chorine bleach for about 12 to 15 hours. The petroleum jelly protects the nacre from the effects of the chlorine which would otherwise turn it a milky color, and there's no way that I know of to reverse it. After the bath, rinse well with cool water to remove the bleach (it may take several rinsings). Wipe out the petroleum jelly with an old but clean rag, and set the shell out to dry and deodorize - the chlorine smell should dissipate in about two to three days. The dorsal side of the shell will have a dry, chalky appearance that is remedied by the application of a thin layer of mineral oil with a old rag. The oil will soak into the lower layers of the shell and bring out it's colors. I prefer this method because varathane or other shellacs impart a shine and sheen that looks unnatural.

[@Detteermiig]

Make a video

[@chaeki]

Great tutorial, I am going to have to try that next year, as I left all my shells in the sun this year. Good timing for Xmas gifts.

[@SeashellSuppliesPhilippines]

Fantastic creatures of Sea. Awesome illustration of how cleaning this shells. Thats a 😍alot of beautiful shells 🐚!!! I have millions of collections too 😊. That was a wonderful video. I love it.

[@xuhsaat]

those look amazing! thank you so much , Dave ! :)

[@charliemaddock3459]

Very beautiful

[@spidaminida]

That was an awesome video. Thank you.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Thank you!

[@Pipsterz]

Wow. I don't know how I ended up here but this is awesome. I love mother of pearl shells, abalone, and poa shells. Meant to be :) Thanks ♥

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Thank you!

[@rickybrucemarino1850]

Pip they are called "paua" where I'm from. Aotearoa nz.

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

Beautiful.

[@deonnalovelace9993]

Beautiful

[@kiki1965]

Beautiful! ☺

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Thank you!

[@yued9898]

I use a pressure washer to remove all the stuff on the outside and steel wool the inside and remove the green stuff, leaving a pearl shine.

[@jayc1794]

What type of Steele wool did you use for the interior?

[@yued9898]

@@jayc1794 you can start with "0" and finish with "000" for polishing. Or even "0000" if you're really motivated.

[@RavenswoodProductions]

Thank you.

[@sirilaksriburapa5212]

that's so beautiful.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+Sirilak Sriburapa Thank you!

[@carla2888]

Hi Thanks for your video. Which wheel/disc do you use?

[@jlynchs1]

A variation on the cleaing: You can buy muriatic acid (stuff you use in your pool or jacuzzi), and half fill a 5 gallon bucket with 50% acid and 50% water. Fill another bucket with just water. I tie a string to shell, and then alternate dipping between the acid solution and the water for 30 second intervals til clean. Rinse & bake at 200 til dry, then spray on polyurathane. Whalla! All done in under 4 hours. Dont overbake!!! Sun has never hurt my shells! Polyurethane brings color back out!

[@codeymitri8626]

Abalone so expensive here in the phillipines bht its so delish

[@wize1621]

Do you know how to strip the calcium part off the outside, leaving only the nacre showing? I've heard you do it with muriatic acid, but how does a person get it to "eat away" the whole outer layer evenly?

[@dcook3003]

Thanks for the shell cleaning tips. I learned something! Have you ever tried removing the outer shell layer with muriatic acid? I have heard you can do this but don't know how.

[@eyestoenvy]

I ordered a smudge kit with a large shell that was shiny and pretty inside yet had some grown and barnacles on the outside. It gives it character, sure. But I hate barnacles 😖

[@bphoto21]

Very nice video.What kind of filters do you use for the mask?

[@lowwprofile]

If Ieft my abalone shells in the sun, what happens? I think it has affected the shiny insides. There is a lot of white stuff on the inside and outside of shell. Is it possible to get the shiny inside colors back?

[@dpdonahue]

Great Video! I have several shells myself and have been researching ways to polish them. Have you ever taken the outside shell all the way down so it is the same color as the inside? And on your polishing wheel are you only using the wire? Thanks, David

[@BlackoutPartyMusic]

Hi I live in san diego and have found my first abalone shell. I tried the acid technique (before I found your video). My shell was blue with pink stripes but I must have had too high a concentration and it took a lot of the blue off and now has white patches. If I soak it more in the acid what is under all of the color? Is there more color under the white. I'm so bummed the blue was really beautiful

[@amazingworld7359]

Aww....!!! ❤❤❤

[@RavenswoodProductions]

Is there a way to clean off the green discoloration on the interior? Thanks!

[@caitlinbruns9584]

Found a bunch of small abalone shells in an otter nest in SE Alaska, would these likely be the same species? Great video! I think the shells are so cool and wanted to give them the attention they deserve. Planning on making my shells into Christmas ornaments for my family.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Great idea of making ornaments out of the abalone shell pieces. Sorry for the late reply, I forget I have these videos up. The red abalone range is from Oregon to Baja. So maybe not red abalone in your area?

[@antsaw187]

onya mate 👌

[@Erica-yr3gf]

Beautiful. Thank you❤️👍🌎🇺🇦☮️💚❤️

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Thank you!

[@danieltee7782]

Woooooooow, the size of your shells, wtf!? 😂 We can only find shells up to 12 cm here in Bretagne (France) 😮😢😊

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Yes, they get even bigger. Up to 10" or 25 cm, is trophy size. Enough meat to feed 4 to 6 people.

[@TheDivineKlara]

Orhes suggest avoid bleaching the mother of pearls side, as it looses its colour. What ratio are u using for your soak bath?

[@nateroo]

Beautiful! Have a question: Is that pure bleach you dropped it into or is it diluted and if so, how much bleach to water ratio? Thanx for a great project idea.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

I put in 2 or more cups of household laundry bleach in 4 gallons of water in a 5 gallon bucket. I'm not sure what I said in this video, I think it's overnight. If you want faster results, let's say, a few hours, than add more bleach. 100% bleach will eat up the mother pearl and turn it white.

[@333fastcat]

Dave! I have some questions and maybe you can help. Im also from NorCal butte county area and Im working on cleaning an ab shell for the first time. First, I left my shell in the sun for a while hoping it would clear up some of the algae on the inside...that was the wrong thing to do i found out. The algae is very hard to remove, is it possible to take it off? If so what should i use?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Fine sandpaper #300 or steel wool.

[@buddhanow1]

Dear NCUWHdiverdave, I collect broken abalone shells off the Sonoma coast and have for many years. Would you say something about tumbling the shells in a rock tumbler?

[@jtoulon1288]

+NCUWHdiverdave do you coat the inside of the shell with poly too?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+jtoulon1288 Yes.

[@abytc2023]

The dust particles lodge in lung tissue. Wear a special respirator and have water trickling on it or submerge it as you scrape. Or try baking soda or some other technique-the dust has tiny hooks and it lodges in lung tissue and can nvr be removed.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Yes, thank you. I am not cutting or grinding into the shell itself, I am cleaning the outside of the shell so the particles are not as bad as the shell itself.

[@hello21596]

Hi Dave. Do you ever sell the finished pieces?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

No can sell, but you can find them on Ebay.

[@lorrigilbertson3114]

Hello from Ontario Canada. It's very difficult to find large abalone shells. Do you sell any of your shells and are you able to ship a large shell to Canada?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

No can sell but you can find them on Ebay.

[@MoniqueSS96]

What did you use at the end to make the shells shiny? Wood stain?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Polyurethane, 0:22

[@lx5spd]

HI there! My husband brought home his shells for me because I wanted to try and clean them up. currently they are outside in a bucket of water, should I just put them in the shade and dry them out for a day or two ? I noticed you said your shells were from the prior year and some newer ones. and the ants clean out the living organisms. since we just cleaned out the meat last night should they sit out for any ideal amount of time ? Thank you !!

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

If you do it my way with the wire wheel than you should let them dry out for a couple of days. If you clean them with acid you can do it while they are wet.

[@lx5spd]

I am going to try your method ! When you are using just a wire brush, am I still going to need a mask? and one last thing, have you ever taken a dremel to a shell and gone below the red layer? just wondering if it eventually reveals more of the pearlescent look and colors? Thank you so much for your advice !!

[@NYWAORCANZ]

Are those Australian Shells?

[@MedicalPot]

I found 12 in an old abandoned yard and cleaned them but not as heavy duty as you, but they came out nice. Are you saying I cannot sell them, they are so old, like at least 30 years old. So what can I do?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+Katie Seagal Hang them on the wall to enjoy or give them away.

[@MedicalPot]

I do, I do.

[@pecintabatupermata8675]

👍👍👍👍👍nice

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Thank you!

[@legkunpolina4748]

Where do you get those shells

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+Sweetie Polina Off of the northern California coast.

[@happyhermit931]

Some one used mine as a ashtray and it's got some birn Mark's on it 😪😪😪....Is there any way to get rid of the Mark's please ?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Steel wool to clean or sand it down and then coat with Polyurethane. Be sure to sand outside and to where a respirator.

[@mtmitchell87]

did you put the polyurethane on the inside of the shell?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+matthew mitchell Yes.

[@megnjp]

Hi Dave! We have a handful of abalone shells from our dives and want to use them as gifts. Could we hire you to clean them and break some of them down for a jeweler to use? We live in San Francisco and could bring them to you!

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

No thank you.

[@thatsclassicher1149]

I wasn't aware that it is illegal to buy/sell abalone shells! In the 1990s I bought a polished abalone shell and a shark tooth necklace from a nice shop while on family vacation in California. Was it always illegal?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+heyfrau1 Anything that is taken with a hunting license or any wildlife that is native to California cannot be sold. Unless the abalone was taken by a licensed California commercial diver prior to 1997 or purchased from a commercial abalone aquaculture operation, otherwise it is a violation to sell the shell or any other part of the abalone.

[@TheFlyingViking1]

do you wire brush the inside as well? or the just outside?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

The outside only. The inside is very smooth and would be scratched with a wire brush.

[@oilingkwan5996]

how much for each ??

[@rebeccacornel8199]

and how do you know what you're looking for and is every abalone same......and how can we get abalone shells...my mother loved to collect shells and she made two chandeliers out of shells which she gave to friend of mine...i would really love to get some for her but i live i India and i would love to give her some abalone and other shells but i don't know how and where to get them she has a very frigile Nautilus shell and many others

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

eBay

[@rebeccacornel8199]

thank you :-)

[@rebeccacornel8199]

hey dave...hi....i would like to know when can a person find abalone?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

April, May, June, August, September, October.

[@rebeccacornel8199]

oh okay thank you........ :-)

[@anthws]

+NCUWHdiverdave minor correction, which i know you know... you can FIND them anytime. it is only legal to take them during those months, which a fishing license AND abalone license

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+anthony stever Yes. Thank you for the correction.

[@TheBSideDJ]

did you try to clean with peroxide or permanganate ?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Neither. I just used regular Clorox bleach that we use to wash our clothes.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Yes, but I am trying to use less toxic ways. I know, slow on the response, I forgot about these videos. Oh, well.

[@TheBSideDJ]

@@NCUWHdiverdave toxic ??? peroxide is a combination of H en O.

[@maryrust569]

Have you ever found pearls

[@kwong7058]

@Herbert Agudera Carolino abalones do developed pearls, gem grade one are really rare, malformed and dull ones are found pretty regularly if it's a commercial harvesting operation.

[@TiffYG2133]

Eeeekkk saw a spider run out from under the wire wheel at 1:50 & paused to comment on it!

[@Detteermiig]

Poor little thing got scared by the big creature with a loud machine

[@sierramaesorongon3522]

does the hole represents the rings?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

The holes are for breathing. The rings on the outside of the shell are growth rings.

[@sierramaesorongon3522]

@@NCUWHdiverdave ok cool

[@shamsadahamd8367]

Plz abalone shell raw rate send me Size medium and large...

[@pauloibanez957]

Do you sell them?

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

No can sell, but you can find them on Ebay.

[@kellygrant4200]

Do you sale them? There pretty

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

No, sorry, wish I could but it is illegal to sell any California wildlife or parts of. You could try E bay.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Nope, read below the video.

[@cakeobrien7134]

arent those paua shells?

[@nirupa21]

yes, also called abalone

[@georgetempest2469]

All the same - the Americans call them Abalone, my Newzealand girlfriend calls them Paua and here in the UK they are called Ormers, they're not as big here in the cold North Sea though

[@TheWiseMagpie1]

Doesn't the bleach damage the nacre??

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

+TheWiseMagpie1 Yes it can. I dilute the bleach and I do not let it soak very long. You can also put Vaseline inside the shell to protect it from the bleach.

[@TheWiseMagpie1]

Thank you!!

[@kimruri2651]

Tena. Koutou e hoa. Ma, greetings friends my whaiaipo ,darling dives for Paua,abalone in Aotearoa, nz, we eat the beautiful kai , he drys them for a couple of moths in the sun first, then puts them in a sack leaves them for a month or two,when he is. Ready he uses a wet and. Dry. Grinder to take the outside layer. Off,by now the outside shell. Is soft. Enough to grind ,grind down to the blue ,pink green of its. Natural colour make sure you yous face mask gloves, wash them when you finish grinding, dry them,leave in sun, then. Polyurethane them ,they are ataahua, beautiful we use them as toanga treasures, and Koha them we give them away as gift, that have been given to us by tangaroa, the god of the sea,don’t use as a strays too preciouse ,nga mihi e hoa ma. Aotearoa. Kairuku.

[@fixfireleo]

it cant be illegal to sell shells. they sell them everywhere. if you dont wish to sell yours, that is your prerogative but it isnt illegal.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Sport taken abalone may not be bought, sold, bartered or traded. Fish and Game Code, section 7121. Anything that is taken with a hunting license or any wildlife that is native to California cannot be sold. Unless the abalone was taken by a licensed California commercial diver prior to 1997 or purchased from a commercial abalone aquaculture operation, otherwise it is a violation to sell the shell or any other part of the abalone. Just because eBay and Craigslist are selling these things or allowing them to be sold, doesn’t mean it’s legal. Even though it has become common and thus to some might appear legal. You cannot commercialize wildlife. The animals belong to the citizens of the state of California, not an individual person. So an individual cannot take this wildlife and make money from it.

[@fixfireleo]

***** so maybe the ones for sale are not from california? i dont know their range, but if they appear in mexico or anywhere in central america, you can bet it's not illegal to sell those. it doesnt make sense to me though. if you can get a licence to harvest abalone LEGALLY (3 per day??) why would they not allow you to sell the shells. do they expect you to just keep them piled up in the garage? what about shells you find where the animal has died and it has washed up on the beach?

[@georgetempest2469]

I can pick them up here in Cornwall in souvenir shops. The only thing in England that is legislated, especially the Channel Islands - they can only be harvested at certain times of the year and only specific sizes. They are called 'Ormers' here and make a nice stew when cooked slowly :o)

[@conteplumbing7749]

+rob robert You can not make money off of California wildlife. Poachers would decimate the population. California wildlife belongs to the public, not an individual to make a profit.

[@planetgannet]

It's illegal to sell seashells you find in Australia.

[@kimberlyosburn6784]

Can I buy one what’s your Instagram ?

[@bozakarlin9034]

Beautiful.

[@NCUWHdiverdave]

Thank you!