Cleaning Stones
After finding stones in nature, the first step is to clean the stone. There are several widely practiced methods of cleaning -- some very simple, and some methods such as acid cleaning, which require important safety considerations.
Cleaning stones on the spot
Since stones are usually soiled when found in nature, you should clean them on the spot:
clean with chopsticks
brushes with short hard bristles
paintbrushes
wash in water when possible
Cleaning stones at home
- wash with strong water jet or high pressure cleaner
- put in plastic container filled with water
add several drops of soap and mix
- soak for 5 - 20 minutes
- examine stone
- clean with plastic brush
- for heavier soil, soak for several days
Cleaning with brushes
use steel, brass or needle brushes for heavy dirt
test on stone before using (on non-visible areas)
re-wash stone after brushing
Using rotary wire brushes for heavier soil
When more cleaning is needed, rotary wire and hard nylon brushes can be used, or machine brushes with drills or milling machines. Be sure to test on non-visible areas to determine whether the process will damage the stone.
Safety protection
To avoid injury from thrown loose pieces, practice safety:
wear goggles
wear leather work gloves
clean stones outdoors
wear mask to prevent inhaling dust and small fragments
work in well-ventilated areas when working indoors
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