Shell Camp Florida Acid Dipping Directions
Be aware of the dangers that can be associated with using this or having any type of acid in your house, it can be DANGEROUS! So read all instructions, wear protective eye glasses, gloves (the chemical protective type), closed-toe shoes, long pants and long sleeves. Please dispose of the acid mixture properly.
Set up in a well ventilated area. Outdoors is best. Be aware of the surface under and around you, the mixture can etch. Have a hose close by. If you accidentally splash on something, rinse with your standby hose.
Avoid allowing children or pets around during the process. Avoid breathing the fumes.
You will need two containers. The heavy duty plastic buckets work best. A five gallon bucket and a smaller bucket are ideal. Purchase the lid for the smaller bucket, if you would like to save the mixture for future use. A plastic, food safe straining ladle or some type of tool for grasping and lowering the shells into the acid and then into the rinse water.
Work in a seated position with a towel over your lap, the buckets side by side in front of you. (And a hose handy just in case) Have a drying rack handy to place the wet shells on to dry, after the rinsing.
Fill the large bucket to the brim with cold water. This will be your rinse bucket. Then fill the smaller bucket with about 3 inches of cold water, and then 1 inch of muriatic acid. Always put water in your acid dipping bucket first. Pour acid carefully so it doesn’t splash.
NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID, YOU ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER
Place a shell on the straining ladle or use a grasping tool and slowly dip the shell in the acid/water mixture. You will see bubbling. Dip for a few seconds (3-5 seconds at most), swirling it around. You will see “fizzing” as the acid attacks the calcium build-up on the shells. Leaving the shells in longer can compromise the shell and color. Remove, and immediately plunge the shell into the cold rinsing water bucket swirling around a bit to thoroughly rinse. Then place the shell on a rack for drying. Once you get comfortable with the process, you can do several shells at a time with a straining ladle.
Univalves should be lowered into the acid with the siphonal canal pointing down.
Once dry, shine with some mineral oil.
The dipping process gets rid of the white saltwater buildup and your Shell Camp Florida shells will be brilliant!
*** Avoid dipping Olives, Angle Wings, Sunray Venus Clams, Paper Figs, or any shell that has a very shiny surface, is super thin or delicate.
To dispose of acid, dilute with water several times and dump in an acceptable spot. You can save the acid mixture and use again. Cover your container tightly and store in a safe spot.
DO NOT dump the muriatic acid solution down your drain or into the sewer system without neutralizing it first. To neutralize the solution, add water and baking soda or lime in another large container and slowly add the muriatic solution. Alternate between the baking soda and muriatic solution until there is no “fizzing”. Once there is no more fizzing, it should be safe to dispose.
Enjoy your beautiful Shell Camp Florida treasures!
Here is a link on how to dispose of or neutralize the acid:
https://sciencing.com/dispose-hydrochloric-acid-8419934.html
