Preparing Your Fossils: Episode 1 of 4 | Using Acryloid/Paraloid B72!

[@robertmangum5101]

Nicely laid out, great job!

[@sethholderby1795]

Where is episode 2, 3, & 4?

[@MichaelExplorer]

Yeah, sad

[@ljbrownn3974]

thanks for that info, new subscriber from Philippines, i want to learn more for fossils tools

[@aleksimustajarvi719]

Thank you. Just found out about this and wanted to know how to actual coat something with it and just so happens there is a instructional video made 2 weeks ago. But i dont have fossiles in mind but actualy would like to prevent a piece of cut metal asteroid from rusting. Would this work as a coating for that purpouse?

[@simonhedger9378]

Interesting thanks - have you ever used a matting agent to take away some of the glossy look? I’ve heard fumed silica is one such agent that can be added at a very low %. Thanks

[@southerncaliforniapaleonto9844]

No, I haven't because you're never sure if any added agent will degrade, discolor or react with the other compounds over time. Thats why adding as few things on top of a fossil is better and applying an overcoat should only be done if necessary. For myself, if I don't want the glossy look, I dilute it way down, then reapply coats as needed.

[@simonhedger9378]

@@southerncaliforniapaleonto9844 thanks much appreciated. I’m using 8% solution of B72 but will try a weaker solution too.

[@swabianscience]

You could try applying a second, thin layer of B72 solution with some water added. I've seen water causing the B72 to suddenly drop out of solution as fine particles, if the solvent evaporates faster than the water, at some point a threshold is reached where the B72 crashes out as uneven particles instead of a smooth layer, making it look less shiny. It might also whiten up the color a bit, especially at higher concentration, with thicker layers they tend to get white. I haven't directly tried this myself, but it might be worth a try!

[@hullion]

hi! i have a pyritized large (half) ammonite that has some side pieces broken off, the pieces are like half my thumb. Do you think i can use CA glue to glue them back and in general to strenghten the rest of the edges? or do you propose some other glue/solution? The pieces fit back relatively well, there are a few small gaps tho. Thanks!

[@southerncaliforniapaleonto9844]

CA glue is a fairly popular adhesive for repairs. The main drawback is that it tends to yellow over time and so would not be good to use as a coating. An alternative is to use Paraloid/Acryloid B-72. I frequently use a 20% solution as an adhesive, but if you have a large specimen, a 50% solution may be handier. I have found that many pyritized specimens eventually decay, also known as "pyrite disease." Is this the reason why it is falling apart at the edges? If so, you may want to try coating it in B-72 (I like using a 5% solution) to slow down oxidation and store in a low humidity environment.

[@hullion]

@@southerncaliforniapaleonto9844thanks!

[@mikescott3167]

Where are episodes 2-4?

[@gustavopina5104]

Where can I buy a 1 lb. bag of b-72?

[@southerncaliforniapaleonto9844]

Hi Gustavo, I've reached out to Patrick and he said he purchases his supply of B-72 from this website: conservationsupportsystems.com/product/show/acryloid-paraloid-b-72/acryloid. (FYI, this is not an endoresement)

[@gustavopina5104]

@@southerncaliforniapaleonto9844 Thanks my friend, but I already bought some on Ebay (100 gr.) wish I would have known earlier! The price is really good! I watch your video for tutorial! Great job!

[@dadidoo123]

this is not a 20% solution, it's a 30% solution due to the volume of B72 contained in the recipient when you pour the acetone. However very interesting video, thank you for your work

[@gregorybrown8850]

Actually, when preparing a w/v solution, the percentage is calculated as weight of solute divided by the volume of the FINAL SOLUTION! If the final volume of the resulting solution is 150ml and it contains 30g of Paraloid, it is a 20% w/v solution.

[@franzpuzzer1016]

bastava tre minuti, altro che 18 de tiraloica noiosissima

[@pauladent7646]

Where are episodes 2-4?