Material processing, bringing to an optimal appearance

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Necrocephalus, 31.08.2006 13:59

Please help with advice, the situation is as follows: in the summer, a large and beautiful specimen of staphylin Emus hirtus was caught, on the head, pronotum and abdomen of which there were thick, shiny yellow hairs. It was placed on the mattress, and safely dried. When I got home, I started steaming it - without thinking, I threw it into a glass of boiling water, along with other beetles. As a result of this procedure, he completely lost his appearance: the hairs stuck together, strayed into a flat cake and almost stopped shining. Question: how can the beetle be restored to its original, spectacular appearance? However, there is one caveat: it is undesirable to steam again, because some small parts of the beetle are already sitting on the PVA. It seems that you can try to fluff the hairs with a small brush (on a dry one? or is it better to wet it with something?), but before doing this, I would like to consult with more experienced people in this matter - I would not want to screw up and spoil a rather rare beetle.

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31.08.2006 18:02, AVA

Please help with advice, the situation is as follows: in the summer, a large and beautiful specimen of staphylin Emus hirtus was caught, on the head, pronotum and abdomen of which there were thick, shiny yellow hairs. It was placed on the mattress, and safely dried. When I got home, I started steaming it - without thinking, I threw it into a glass of boiling water, along with other beetles. As a result of this procedure, he completely lost his appearance: the hairs stuck together, strayed into a flat cake and almost stopped shining. Question: how can the beetle be restored to its original, spectacular appearance? However, there is one caveat: it is undesirable to steam again, because some small parts of the beetle are already sitting on the PVA. It seems that you can try to fluff the hairs with a small brush (on a dry one? or is it better to wet it with something?), but before doing this, I would like to consult with more experienced people in this matter - I would not want to screw up and spoil a rather rare beetle.

It all depends on why the hairs are stuck together. If this is fat, then, accordingly, you can try to skim. For example, dripping xylene and pulling it off with filter paper (this is mandatory, otherwise after the solvent evaporates, the fat will remain in place). Then, similarly, treat it sequentially with acetone and alcohol (95-96%). Only then can we talk about the brush, although it may not be needed by then.

Likes: 1

01.09.2006 7:58, AVA

Preferably BDA-i.e. "clean for analysis", in a household store M. B. is contaminated with impurities that will only make it worse. You can try without xylene - acetone, and then alcohol. because on the beetle, probably, there is not much fat. But you need "clean" solvents...

About the "khozmagovsky" chemistry-that's for sure.

But you can still try to use purified (!) gasoline, i.e., not automobile, but the one that is intended for lighters. Naturally, it is better not to use domestic production. Another option is the same chloroform. It also dissolves fats quite well.
But, most importantly, do not forget to draw off the solvents with filter paper. And, by the way, if the operation is successful, then you can do without a brush. You can just carefully "comb" the hairs with the tip of a thin pin.
Good luck!