Use water to get rid of dirt or grit, and use finer sandpaper grits to remove scratches made during the initial leveling process. Attach the sandpaper to it and even the fossil surfaces while maintaining the paper wet and rinsing regularly. Use hot water with your sandpaper and a sanding block. While using the 100-grit sandpaper, you will already know what details you want to keep before moving to higher-grit sandpaper. Use circular motions, rub between five to ten minutes, and keep sanding as seen in this video: To achieve the best results, start with course 100-grit wet and dry sandpaper and move up to 1,200-grit sandpaper or higher. Various types of abrasive papers, such as sandpaper, are used to remove scratches, depressions, or high areas from the surface of your fossil. Some surfaces of your fossils can easily chip away, but if you choose to polish them, you ensure their protection and a smooth surface that will be easier to clean.

In general, visual appeal is what you want to achieve in your fossil polishing process, and the more details are visible, the better. Opalescent fossils work well with Dremel tools and soapy water. Regarding aquatic fossils, the 800-grit or higher sandpapers are the best to remove impurities. You will also need soft or dry bruises, cleaning cloths, and varnish.Īmmonite fossils work great with soft brushes and 600-grit sandpaper, 1,500-finer grit sandpaper for further polishing, and a polishing cloth to give it a shiny texture. It all depends on your fossil type and what polish you want to achieve.

When polishing your fossils, use sandpaper, medium, or fine grit. If you want to check out the best Dremel drills you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link). Here is everything you need to know about making your fossils shiny the right way, cleaning, and some polishing tips! No matter what type of shining or polishing technique you may use, it’s best to test it on an already compromised piece before moving on to your complete fossil. Someone uses a thin coat of varnish when working with calcitic ammonites to brighten them up and use a kitchen towel or lint-free cloth to make them shiny.Ĭertain fossils need a bit of their matrix for support, but removing excess matrix isn’t an issue as long as you don’t overdo it.

To make your fossils shiny, clean them with a toothbrush and water. From the moment you collect your fossils, how you transport and clean them. No matter the case, if you want to make your fossils shiny, there are a couple of ways to do so. Some people like fossils the way they are, while others like to make them shiny or polish them for reselling value or other aesthetic purposes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you.

600 grit dremel bit