MO: First time trying to clean/polish Abalone Shells

So...after seeing how beautiful the outside of Abalone shells could be on the GS4 Trophy, I did a little online research on the shell cleaning process and got some tips from Eric/BlackAbKing.

Thank you Eric for being willing to share some of your knowledge...I really appreciate it.

There is also some info on the cleaning process posted online here:

http://sites.google.com/site/abaloneten/howtocleanabaloneshells

I had three ab shells that I got at Shelter Cove at GS4, and three that I got at Point Arena back in 2002. The older three have been sitting around and being ignored and unloved, and I felt it was time to try and see if they could be shined up and put back on display!!

My wife and I love the way these shells look around the house so I figured I should try and do everything I could to make each and every one that I bring home as beautiful as possible...

These shells (even though they are not Trophy sized) are special "Trophys" to me, and I love having them decorate my home...

This is my first time trying this so please feel free to offer tips/advice on how I can improve on any future abalone shells that I might get...

Here are some pics of the shells and the tools that I used...the GS4 shells are on the left and the Point Arena 2002 ones are on the right...one has a really cool barnacle on it, and the bigger one is 9 inches and is super cool, but has some weird crusty brown sponge on the outside of it.

The newer ones were all eroded for some reason and the red part of the shell was almost all gone, just leaving the mother of pearl beneath...Not sure if this is because of a parasite or what..any of you guys know??

Sincerely,

Jim

After hosing them down with the pressure nozzle and using the wire brush to scrub off the remaining organic gunk, I coated the inside of each shell with Vaseline and then put them in a bucket of Muriatic acid mixed 50/50 with water for about 30 seconds each.

The colors were much brighter after pulling them out of the acid!!!

The biggest one still had the sponge coating, and on the GS4 ones you could really see the erosion that I mentioned previously.

Sincerely,

Jim

I then used a towel to wipe off the vaseline from inside, and then rubbed some acetone on the mother of pearl. I read this was meant to make them shine more...I couldn't really see a difference...

I then poured a generous amount of mineral oil over each shell...this really made the red color "pop" out even more!!

Sincerely,

Jim

I let them dry and then sprayed them with a verathane lacquer and mounted them on the wall!!

Ana and I think they look great and are stoked that we get to display them in a way that will allow guests to our home to see how beautiful Abalone are!!

Sincerely,

Jim

The shell that inspired me to give this project a try...

Thanks again Eric.

Sincerely,

Jim

thx for the step-by-step.  I did one yesterday, but only sprayed clearcoat on it- not having done my research.  I'll do it right next time.

Next time try submerge the Ab shell (don't coat the inside with vaseline) in Hydrogen peroxide overnight for a silvery look, then coat/spray the Ab with lacquer afterward.

Excellent documentation, Jim.  WTG on creating some truly artistic shells.  Reminds me of my house!   

Thanks for the tip on the Hydrogen Peroxide Sonny! 

Eric...thanks for the compliment, it means a lot coming from someone with so much experience in this arena. Do you have any idea why the GS4 shells are mostly Mother of Pearl on the outside with very little of the red shell??

Just curious...

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for the tip on the Hydrogen Peroxide Sonny! 

Eric...thanks for the compliment, it means a lot coming from someone with so much experience in this arena. Do you have any idea why the GS4 shells are mostly Mother of Pearl on the outside with very little of the red shell??

Just curious...

Thanks again!

Sincerely,


Worms

Jim

Do you have any idea why the GS4 shells are mostly Mother of Pearl on the outside with very little of the red shell??

Just curious...

Thanks again!

Sincerely,


Worms

Jim

Worms?!  I like my abalone sashimi style.  Should I not eat it raw if the outer shell is not red (for red abalone that is)?  Or can I freeze it for a couple of days to kill off the worms, and then eat it as sashimi? 

Dude u rock...those are so sweet!!!  just dont use a high power presure washer!!!    blew some holes right through the shell...oops...I'll post some pics...before and after...let ya see the results of your labors...

John, the worms live in the shell not the meat. Craig

John, the worms live in the shell not the meat. Craig

thx for the info!  I was thinking about going to a doctor... picked abalone last Saturday and ate it that night with friends sashimi-style.

coolo, cant wait to peep them out, i gotta try some diving here soon!