Meteorite Etching Question |
Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums > Prospecting, Mineral Collecting and Treasure Hunting Forums > Gem and Mineral Specimen Finds or Processes  |
Meteorite Etching Question |
 Jan 14 2014, 08:07 AM
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#1
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 Moderator  Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983  |
Probably a good question for Johnny....
I own a small slice of a Campo specimen pictured below and would like to refresh the etching to bring the detail back. I use Ferric Chloride for etching carbon steel on knives.... will this work well to refresh the Campo or should I be considering another etchant? 
-------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jan 14 2014, 01:53 PM
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#2
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Google is my friend.... I just stumbled upon this excellent article which explains the process in detail and recommends Ferric Chloride: Meteorite Etching
I'm going to give it a try. -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jan 15 2014, 06:01 AM
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#3
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russau Group: Members Posts: 2,841 Joined: 4-December 03 From: st.louis missouri Member No.: 43 |
Swizz, thanks for that link! it is some interesting reading. not that im going to start doing this but you never know!
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Jan 15 2014, 06:28 AM
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#4
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Glad you liked it russ. I have to work today but might give it a try this afternoon or tonight. I'll update this thread with results.
-------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jan 18 2014, 07:14 PM
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#5
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 Rock Bar! Group: Members Posts: 613 Joined: 16-October 08 From: Central Colorado Member No.: 6,813 |
swizz,
The specimen already looks fine in my opinion but I just like looking at meteorites...no matter what condition. If you wash off the etching solution with water or otherwise put water on the slice during the process, I suggest the final step would be soaking the slice in Everclear grain alcohol to remove most traces of remaining water. That will slow the process of rusting into the near future. Humidity and handling is a problem for keeping an etch intact. Of course, if any grain alcohol is left over...you can throw a party and invite some folks over to see the fresh etching!  Good luck! -------------------- Annual Dues Paying Member Since 2008
Tonko Mining Company "Some day this crater is going to be a greatly talked about place, and if the above credit is due, as is certainly the case, I would like to have it generally known for the sake of the children." Daniel Moreau Barringer 2/1/1912 in a letter about the Barringer Meteorite Crater, Arizona USA |
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