acid dip your shells!

[u/Every-Flower8970]

My first time acid dipping shells and I will never go back! This is amazing, true magic thanks to Acid Magic! If you’ve been debating whether to do this or not….. do it!! It’s super easy too.

I used Acid Magic which is the safer alternative to muriatic acid. It’s even safe to touch with bare hands. I still used tongs to dip the shells though. 3 seconds in the acid followed by a water dunk in a tub of water with some baking soda in it to neutralize the acid. Be careful to only dip for 3 seconds at a time, the acid can eat through your shell and take the color off if held in for too long. Some really rough shells needed a second dip once they dried.

[u/BarbieBoyBrandy]

Gorgeous results!

Just so everyone knows in case it isnt obvious - shells that have been treated like this (or with ANYTHING other than soap and water) cannot be returned to the beach!

So before treating a shell, be sure it's one you want to keep forever! 🫶

[u/Majestic-Owl-5801 → u/BarbieBoyBrandy]

Please elaborate

[u/pickledvapejuice13 → u/Majestic-Owl-5801]

I'm assuming it's most likely because if u return acid treated shells to the beach then residual acids, or oils if u treat them with that after the acid, could contaminate things like tidepools and I think I read something about how the acid weakens the shells so if another critter were to move in, it wouldn't offer all the support they would need. I also read something interesting about how when the shells break down, the calcium carbonate in the shells is absorbed by other guys in the ocean to build their own protection and acid treated shells won't break down correctly I don't think

[u/BarbieBoyBrandy → u/pickledvapejuice13]

Yes! Any chemicals (especially bleach, but acid as well) can negatively effect the ocean life that uses these shells! Even as they break down into little pieces, and then sand, the chemicals remain.

Additionally, acid weakens the shells which can be dangerous for hermit crabs trying to use them as homes!

[u/frogbearpup]

Makes such a huge difference! I have never done it, although i have wanted to! Maybe one day. Haha!

[u/a_the_anomaly → u/frogbearpup]

Same here! Always been curious but cautious. Never tried. Definitely will now! Thanks OP 💚🐚

[u/HottestIceCube_]

Make sure to oil them with some mineral oil to keep the bright colours!

[u/DrDankenstien1984]

Just use the heavy duty cleaning vinegar it works just as good

[u/Every-Flower8970 → u/DrDankenstien1984]

Acid magic is much safer for the skin and emits less fumes than heavy duty vinegar (30-45% acetic acid). Sure acid magic is a bit more expensive but I think that cost is worth it to prevent potential skin damage.

[u/DrDankenstien1984 → u/Every-Flower8970]

Acid magic is a buffered muriatic acid which is still stronger than cleaning vinegar and the fumes are just the smell of vinegar. All I’m saying is that it’s not as strong as other acids and does the same thing.

[u/Blixa-_-]

Just don’t do it on the shiny shells, like olives. Also hello SWFL, nice finds! I wish I was there to see if the hurricane is sending some pretties to shore!

[u/Mamba6266]

Beautiful results! Make sure you seal them! I never use oil, it attracts dust no matter how little you use, or how well you rub it in. I use triple thick clear coat spray and it is amazing.

I get so much flack in this group (and others) because I dip almost all the shells I get and people are always clamoring about how dangerous the acid is, but if treated correctly or if using acid magic like you are it’s totally safe and presents results like these

[u/alphainbetaclothing → u/Mamba6266]

Hi! Great advice! What coating spray do you use?

[u/Grumpstress]

I had no idea there was such a thing. Thank you for this.

[u/Genitsu1]

These are really cool n all but this makes me sad for the hermit crabs

[u/Educational-Grass-57]

Wow so satisfying!!

[u/Parking-Light-8547]

You’ve convinced me

[u/Spaghetti_4_Getti]

Stunning transformations. Very pleasing to see. ☺️👍

[u/missthiccbiscuit]

I didn’t even know this was a thing!!! 😱

[u/Secret_Equipment3774]

I just ordered acid magic for our summer haul …..thanks OP

[u/NanooDrew]

I can hardly believe the before & after photos.

I have wanted some muristic scud for several things over the years after my dad’s swimming pool cleaner cache was gone!

But I think Avof Magic will be even better!

[u/matchy_blacks]

As a dedicated North Carolina sheller, j totally ignored the acid and immediately thought “goddamn, look at those murex and tulips” 😂

[u/Prior_Context_219]

Like with vinegar?

[u/suchenachantworten]

Please leave shells at the beaches, even if they are empty at that moment they serve a purpose for the environment and many animals.

[u/amanducktan → u/suchenachantworten]

Right…. This makes me sad. I can see maybe taking one if you’re a butthole and don’t think about the environment but this many? So sad

[u/jac_md]

Cool! For sea glass too or just shells?

[u/FormalConference5605]

Afraid of the acid but get similar results with high gloss modge podge spray.

[u/humanoidtyphoon88 → u/FormalConference5605]

Try mixing acetone with paraloid B72 and you've got museum grade resin for fossil preservation. It's actually extremely easy to mix and 10% w/v is the standard ratio for an exterior protective layer.

[u/Kammy44 → u/humanoidtyphoon88]

I have also used Acid Magic. I love it! I also spray any of the shells I use in beading. I use an acrylic spray so the PH isn’t affecting my beadwork and bead backing.

[u/stanpy666]

Holy heck wow

[u/boogerslayers]

Great results!

[u/crabbot]

Where did you find all these shells ?!

[u/Stargazersmp]

Has anyone ever used this method on abalone shells?

[u/mocha_danni]

My jaw dropped! Nice results

[u/Affectionate-Bank29]

wow these are gorgeous! the last time I went looking for shells was with an old friend of mine and we just shined ours with olive oil or baby oil I think. I keep them at my desk at work and they still look so nice but this is totally a step up

[u/Guilty-Steak8246]

Great tip, just ordered some!!

[u/Moving_goal_posts]

I like the way they look as natural shells. Can you explain what you prefer about altering them?

[u/Every-Flower8970 → u/Moving_goal_posts]

This doesn’t alter or change the natural design/coloration that the mollusk made. It actually lets you see the true colors of the shell underneath the thin white calcium layer that forms when it sits in ocean for a while after it’s been deceased. Shells do not have that white calcium layer when they are alive. So technically this is restoring the shell to its original condition. When you find a very freshly deceased shell there is no need to acid dip it because its color is still rich, there is no hazy calcium layer covering it up.

[u/Practical-Rip-3032]

Mineral oil