PREPARING A NEW FOSSIL FISH | FOSSIL PREP

In this video watch as Dr. Steve Etches MBE prepares a find from last year. During Steve's preparatory activities he uses a range of techniques some of which take a while, demonstrated in today's video.
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[@MaltyOB]

Thanks Steve, another really interesting video, but in future could you add some commentary to describe the process and tell us what tools and materials you are using for this particular preparation and and explain why?

[@TheEtchesCollection]

We will do our best to include this in future, did you have any specific questions regarding this preparation you'd like us to answer?

[@MaltyOB]

I'd like to know:
why you are working on the underside of the fossil rather than the upper surface
What is applied to the upper surface before the plaster? PVA?
What air-scribe, air abrasive, rotary burr do you use?
What fluids are applied to the fossil during prep?
In fact, everything about the process!
Paul

[@TheEtchesCollection]

@@MaltyOB
Generally Steve will prepare most finds from the underside, this is because when a specimen lands in the sediment before it is fossilised often the top is exposed and can be predated or damaged by the oceans/seas of the time. Once fossilised this already potentially damaged topside is often the first exposed so can be subject to weathering and erosion. As such the underside always tend to be better preserved.
Before the plaster Steve used PVA, in this particular case once the plaster was applied, it was left under a moist towel and allowed to set over several weeks to prevent cracking and separation,
Air Abrasive Steve tends to use two forms of powder, Sodium bicarbonate and Aluminum Oxide, Although plans to use Iron powder as well. Sodium Bicarbonate is his go to. The air abrasive units are Texas Airsonics, although these are hard to come by now, and the Iron powder machine he has just bought is from ZoicPaleotech,
Some of his airscribes are hand manufactured by someone in europe, I sadly don't know any more about those, He also has the trilobite from ZoicPaleotech.
I sadly do now know much about his rotary burr, other than it being described as high end.
Other fluids used in his preparation often include thin superglues which can seep between cracks in bones and scales etc and can preserve the integrity of the specimen. He also has a catalogue of other tools and fluids but I have rarely seen them used. So I am not familiar with all of them
We are hoping to put on a course, maybe in 2023, where we talk all about Steve's techniques and tools. As well as potentially hearing from some other industry professionals.
I hope this helps 😀

[@MaltyOB]

@@TheEtchesCollection Thank you for taking the time to post a really detailed answer. I'm looking forward to your next 'Preparation' video. Paul

[@TheEtchesCollection]

@@MaltyOB That's no trouble, Our next 'Preparation' video is out at the beginning of June. All I will say for now though is that it's something we think is quite special.

[@nirvanamadpaul]

Is that glue and water, or paraloid etc your using to secure it with.(while tooling)

[@nirvanamadpaul]

I'm interested in the process

[@TheEtchesCollection]

Steve is using a PVA solution to get the plaster to bind to the fossil and he allows this to dry over several weeks so it binds better and doesn't crack.

[@nirvanamadpaul]

@@TheEtchesCollection is that for both sides? Or is paroloid used for the fossil? Many thanks

[@TheEtchesCollection]

@@nirvanamadpaul Steve used the PVA/Plaster onto the exposed side of the fossil, he then prepares the fossil from the underside as this is hasn't been affected by erosion. Normally Steve avoids using paroloid if he can. If I remember correctly, There was none used on this fish :)

[@nirvanamadpaul]

@@TheEtchesCollection many thanks.