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Post by exoticimports on Jul 25, 2018 9:31:10 GMT -8
OK, I have a hercules that was set two months ago and slowly turned black. It is now soaking in lighter fluid. I sprayed it while upside down, hoping some of the fluid would leak under the elytra, then let it settle into the fluid. So far some grease or goo appearing in the fluid. Will report back over time.
Chuck
UPDATES:
Day 2: most of the lighter fluid evaporated. Wiped "goo" off the outside of the elytra, must have accumulated from being in contact with the metal pan. Specimen is still 95% black, though I can see some streaks of green. Specimen set near window to dry out.
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shadow
Junior Member
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Post by shadow on Jul 25, 2018 12:01:05 GMT -8
I used Acetone. It's the best.
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Post by exoticimports on Jul 26, 2018 12:11:57 GMT -8
I used Acetone. It's the best. How did you use it? Did you try it on a hercules? Does it eat any types of glues used for repair? Was the specimen frigile afterwards?
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shadow
Junior Member
Posts: 20
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Post by shadow on Jul 26, 2018 12:35:45 GMT -8
I soaked the whole beetle for a couple of days. Elmer's would more than likely dissolve. I've used Acetone for years now on moths more than any thing. Like to blow dry them a little to get the hairs fluffy again on the moths. Never can even tell it was done except for the perfect specimen. And no the beetle came out the same as it went in except no more black.
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 1, 2018 19:00:28 GMT -8
I put the set specimen upside down in a metal pan with acetone and covered it with aluminum foil and left it over night.
In the morning it was 40% degreased. Excellent!
But the acetone had all evaporated. Six dollars worth.
What do you use that’s large enough for a set Hercules?
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Post by lamprima2 on Aug 2, 2018 11:37:55 GMT -8
You can use an airtight food storage container. Check first, if the plastic is acetone-resistant (usually it is).
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 2, 2018 16:27:42 GMT -8
I bought a one gallon metal paint can. I just opened it. The inside of the fan is painted. It’s being tested with acetone right now. This is turning into a bloody project.
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Post by johnnyboy on Aug 2, 2018 22:03:57 GMT -8
A really good degreaser is toluene. I've used it on moths. It smells nice and is relatively non-toxic. Best used in a polythene (polyethylene) container with lid. I use a balsawood board, with a small metal plate screwed to it to pin the specimen to, this is held in place in the plastic container by placing a powerful magnet on the base of the container.
Johnny
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Post by boghaunter1 on Aug 4, 2018 12:53:51 GMT -8
As leptraps said use white gasoline, aka... Coleman's (or any other brand) camping fuel... commonly used everywhere in camping stoves & readily available in gallon containers (cheaper than acetone or lighter fluid) in any hardware store. Acetone is good, but does leaves specimens extremely brittle;it's fumes are dangerous/harmful to inhale in closed areas and its extreme flammability make it very dangerous (even static electricity can ignite it). I use acetone on dragonflies only, and I use it outdoors.
John K.
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 6, 2018 2:37:35 GMT -8
Here is where I am so far after five days of experimentation.
Soaked the hercules specimen in acetone. Again and again. I did not notice any brittleness. However, the acetone did destroy repair glue.
The elytra did return to a beautiful green. One problem- and a repeated problem- the pin hole continues to leak body fluid up through the elytra, so a black spot appears, and then grows. So it's gone back into the acetone repeatedly.
I will probably use a syringe to inject acetone and see if I can somehow flush the body cavity.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Aug 6, 2018 3:11:26 GMT -8
You are using a Solvent. Acetone evaporates rather slowly. You may try a little heat to accelerate evaporation. Place them in an oven at 150/160 degrees and see if the body fluids and Acetone evaporate quickly and do not leak out.
I have used this method on some large female Sphingids.
Just a suggestion.
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Post by lamprima2 on Aug 6, 2018 9:34:49 GMT -8
Acetone is extremely volatile and extremely flammable. I would not place it into the oven, even at 160 degrees.
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 6, 2018 10:44:14 GMT -8
Well, about the 10th soaking. He's soaked rightside up and upside down. Again, a growing spot of black oil under the alytra.
Leroy may be on to something, the specimen is going into direct sunlight.
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Post by lamprima2 on Aug 6, 2018 20:13:44 GMT -8
The yellow pigment in elytra breaks easily under UV.
Let us know when you D.h. is upgraded to a "blue" one.
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Post by johnnyboy on Aug 6, 2018 22:41:51 GMT -8
The big dynastid beetles are full of body fat, I've dissected three or four and the fat in the body cavity was like stale butter, thick and yellow and present in large clumps. The pin through the body acts like the wick of a candle and draws the fat into the wing cases. This is why the problem with the wing staining can be a recurrent one.
Johnny
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