Plain rinse water becomes an increasingly strong acid solution which continues to etch the shell. Baking soda in the mix will neutralize the acid and stop the process. It will deplete in a small bowl, so add more if it stops fizzing when dipping. Also, vinegar is milder/safer, and gives more time to use with a soft tooth brush to go beyond just dipping. Still needs the base rinse. Lovely shells - I'd give them a good soak now to balance them out.
That reticulated cowrie was stunning! I’d try that helmet shell again but just the top. Don’t want to risk that beautiful shine on the aperture. Happy shelling!
You have some beautiful shells! GREAT JOB on the video. The shells turned out beautiful. We are going to have to try this with some of our shells. Keep the videos coming! It will be fun watching your channel grow.
They're beautiful! I so wish you had shown us the giant Moon Snail. In the meantime, you make muriatic acid less scary...I'll try it! With gloves, tongs, fresh air and all! Great video Sir!
Thank you for watching, Julianne! The muriatic acid works very well, but not so well on shells with a natural gloss; like Olives, Cowries, or the inside of Conch.
Nice! I'm doing this tomorrow, weather permitting. Although I think all shells have beauty, even broken ones, I'm excited to see the hidden patterns show up.
I wish I had the courage to use the muriatic acid! But I do use polyurethane and I honestly get a really nice result with it. Not as nice as the acid but close 😊
Doing this tomorrow on my 19 year she’ll collection! Had no idea you could do this! I have a lot of oysters with sorta that iridescent sheen, do you think those would be ok in this? I’m not going to do my cowries . Also random, what would happen to a mussle in this?
Hey! So I have only done this once(this video), but from what I know, you shouldn't place any shells with sheen or shine(like Olives or Cowries, or Conches(with shiny apertures) into muriatic acid - it will strip the shine and make it dull. As for the Mussel, I suppose it would depend on the type of Mussel... my guess is that the muriatic acid would bring out the color on the top of the shell!
Ciao! Di solito faccio 1 parte di acido muricatico in 3 parti di acqua o dal 25% di MA al 75% di acqua. Spero che questo aiuti e grazie per la visione!
Hi Regina, I have many favorite locations. Though I must say, my favorite place to shell is the place that I am able to get to! I have really only been shelling on the Atlantic east coast and some areas in the Caribbean. From the cold waters of northern New England to the tropical warm seas of Jamaica - each location has it's unique charm and each climate region offers different types of treasures. I enjoy shell collecting in Maine the most, but that's probably because that's where I am from, but I think I enjoyed beach combing and shell collecting most while traveling in Jamaica - the sheer assortment of species I was able to collect while there was astounding...not to mention the most beautiful colors and sizes of sea glass I have ever seen!
Whole or not, weathered or not, absolutely beautiful! 😍
Plain rinse water becomes an increasingly strong acid solution which continues to etch the shell. Baking soda in the mix will neutralize the acid and stop the process. It will deplete in a small bowl, so add more if it stops fizzing when dipping. Also, vinegar is milder/safer, and gives more time to use with a soft tooth brush to go beyond just dipping. Still needs the base rinse. Lovely shells - I'd give them a good soak now to balance them out.
Hi Augusta, I will definitely try this! Thanks for watching.
I really enjoyed your video….looking forward to more….I’m a retired American living in Nicaragua and a shell seeker….and loving every minute….thanks🤗🌈
Oooo I would love to shell in that area of the world!
Thanks for watching!
That reticulated cowrie was stunning! I’d try that helmet shell again but just the top. Don’t want to risk that beautiful shine on the aperture. Happy shelling!
You have some beautiful shells! GREAT JOB on the video. The shells turned out beautiful. We are going to have to try this with some of our shells. Keep the videos coming! It will be fun watching your channel grow.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I also love your content and your channel!
Yesss! I'd love to see a video of that. I imagine the darkness & blue that's prevalent in y'alls beautiful shells would be lovely!
Great work! It's pretty amazing how the acid can clean some of those shells!
Thank you! I know right - it's amazing!
Great video! Thank you for sharing!
Great video and followed your direction on cleaning seashells....Thanx for the info and am awaiting your next seashell expedition ...!!!
They're beautiful! I so wish you had shown us the giant Moon Snail. In the meantime, you make muriatic acid less scary...I'll try it! With gloves, tongs, fresh air and all! Great video Sir!
Thank you for watching, Julianne! The muriatic acid works very well, but not so well on shells with a natural gloss; like Olives, Cowries, or the inside of Conch.
Nice! I'm doing this tomorrow, weather permitting. Although I think all shells have beauty, even broken ones, I'm excited to see the hidden patterns show up.
It's an interesting project but watch out for the shells that already have a shine to them - the acid can destroy them :(
@@solaceinshelling6552 Yes, thanks, I've been watching other sheller's acid cleaning videos, & they've all stressed that. 👍🙂
Nice video. I liked it !
Very cool man! Keep up the great work
Thanks man!
That Cowrie is beautiful ♥️
Thanks for watching!
Off to HD tomorrow ! Thank you. BTW how do you dispose of the acid?
I wish I had the courage to use the muriatic acid! But I do use polyurethane and I honestly get a really nice result with it. Not as nice as the acid but close 😊
👍🏼👍🏼
Doing this tomorrow on my 19 year she’ll collection! Had no idea you could do this! I have a lot of oysters with sorta that iridescent sheen, do you think those would be ok in this? I’m not going to do my cowries . Also random, what would happen to a mussle in this?
Hey! So I have only done this once(this video), but from what I know, you shouldn't place any shells with sheen or shine(like Olives or Cowries, or Conches(with shiny apertures) into muriatic acid - it will strip the shine and make it dull. As for the Mussel, I suppose it would depend on the type of Mussel... my guess is that the muriatic acid would bring out the color on the top of the shell!
L'acido muriatico è puro o diluito? Se è diluito a che percentuale?
Ciao! Di solito faccio 1 parte di acido muricatico in 3 parti di acqua o dal 25% di MA al 75% di acqua. Spero che questo aiuti e grazie per la visione!
Nice cowrie, cleaned shells to close to camera, fuzzy at first....
Hi Joanne, thanks for watching! Yeah I used another camera for this video and auto focus was playing funny games haha!
Where is your favorite place to shell?
Hi Regina, I have many favorite locations. Though I must say, my favorite place to shell is the place that I am able to get to! I have really only been shelling on the Atlantic east coast and some areas in the Caribbean. From the cold waters of northern New England to the tropical warm seas of Jamaica - each location has it's unique charm and each climate region offers different types of treasures.
I enjoy shell collecting in Maine the most, but that's probably because that's where I am from, but I think I enjoyed beach combing and shell collecting most while traveling in Jamaica - the sheer assortment of species I was able to collect while there was astounding...not to mention the most beautiful colors and sizes of sea glass I have ever seen!
Your towels is going will acid wholes
Is that a sentence?
Doesn't make sense
I have shells for sale 😃
Because muriatic acid actually removes the shell itself, professional shell cleaning should never use this product.
What do you recommend?
@@robertneal9837 It depends on the shell. I use a dental pick, maybe some bleach and a touch of mineral oil.
I enjoy ur videos, BUT… sorry there is a but…. The ummmms and the ahhs , and the focus .
Other than that, great job!
Thank you for the valued feedback, Monica - I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!