How to Use Acetate Peels in Paleobotany

Determine a precise cut line, either to halve the fossil vertically or horizontally, depending on the desired study area. Set the fossil precisely along the cut line on the saw and cut it slowly and cautiously. Once completed, and if necessary, gently sand the cut surface flat.

Set out a glass plate. Add small amounts of fine grit and water to the surface. Polish the cut surface of the fossil with circular motions using the water and grit. Rinse the polished area with water to remove remaining grit.

Prepare a shallow dish or container (around half an inch deep) with a diluted solution of 5 percent hydrochloric acid: 1 part acid and 7 parts cold water (water first, then acid). Hold the polished section of fossil in the diluted acid for approximately 10 to 30 seconds to remove the matrix from the fossil itself. Do not touch the bottom of the fossil afterward. Gently rinse the etched portion in water to remove the acid.

Use the sandbox and lamp to dry the etched fossil. Do not set the etched side into the sand. Face it up toward the lamp above. Let it dry completely (the time will vary).

Remove the fossil from the sandbox. Once it has cooled, squirt the bottled acetone on the polished surface. Before it dries, lay one sheet of acetate against the surface without pressing on it. After the acetone dries, pull the acetate sheet gently but firmly from the fossil -- there should be no acetone smell at this stage, and fragments may come away (this is desired).

Let the acetate sheet sit for 20 minutes or until completely dry. Once dried, gently peel the acetate sheet away from the embedded fragments. According to your needs, you may now mount the peel between two glass slides with masking tape to keep it flat or place it between two fresh acetate sheets to be made into a slide.