Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the video! I just wanted to mention that since making this video, I have found that Vaseline does work better to preserve the shells, although it makes them much greasier. The process stays the same, except switch out the oil for vaseline and use a Q-tip to spread it instead of steel wool. You can still use oil and steel wool but I highly reccommend vaseline for thinner shells, and on the periostracum of all shells.
I never knew what the outside coating of the shell is. I think it's pretty but I'd love to know how to remove it on some shells. I usually clean river mussels.
Can I use Bio oil insted of mineral oil? I used viniger and baking soda and my shells loose shine and colour. I don't know can i do something to make them colourfull and shiny again.
you said about re oiling it to keep it from cracking, should I be doing this to an oyster shell that I found, will it start to crack and crumble over time? I use it on display to hold a crystal cat eye in it.
Hi! It really depends on the thickness and part of the shell you're talking about. If its a thicker, heavier shell it should hold up just fine, but the periostracum (the "skin", so to speak, on the outside of the shell) will eventually crack over time. I would definitely reoil that part, and if the shell is quite thin, then I would reoil the whole shell. Another option that I've found that works well since I made this video, is to use a Q-Tip and Vaseline instead of Steel Wool and Mineral Oil. If anything, it may work better, but the shell will be much more greasier. Hope this helps!
@@weouthere1104 It is quite thick, I have found out that it's a european flat oyster shell of about 15 layers (if I counted correctly). I think ill try your oil and Steel wool version, hopefully shine it up a bit. It doesn't seem to have that skin on it I think its been in the sand a while as its quite orange on parts. Thank you for replying and giving those extra tips. I shall try them out.
I am not quite sure, it depends on if you have freshwater or saltwater shells. I'd assume over time both would gradually get weaker and thinner since vinegar is acidic, with the freshwater shells breaking down quicker than saltwater. This is just a guess, I'm really not sure!
Mineral Oil should work on the abalone shell, but as you said it is mounted on a decorative silver plate. I am unsure if mineral oil is safe for silver, so I would be cautious and look into if mineral oil causes reactions to certain metals, if you choose to use it. Make sure you give it a good wipe-down if you do use it.
