Rio Mar Beach Hunt Help

[VERODIGDUG]

Went for a few hours down by the Rio Mar wreck today with the extra low tide and found some interesting pieces. Obviously some type of ship spike, maybe copper broken handle piece to a spoon/fork, a rounded something encrusted, what looks like either a bracelet or a jar ring maybe, and another encrusted heavy item.. How do I safely remove all the buildup. I tried apple cider vinegar in the past and it didn't work out so great. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mad4wrecks]

The nail looks like a common 12 or 16 penney nail. It doesn't take a metal object very long to develop thick encrustation in salt water. The hurricanes of 2004 & 2005 put a lot of junk on the beaches and nearshore reefs, including lots of boardwalk wood, nails, bolts etc..that are just now being found. I cant see the other objects on my phone. I'm hoping you have something shipwreck related. Rio Mar beach doesnt get nearly the pressure other 1715 sites receive.

 

[VERODIGDUG]

My hand really isn't a good reference for size.

Here's another pic of the spike/nail. It appears too big to be a 12/16 penny nail.

 

[ropesfish]

In your original post you asked "How do I safely remove all the buildup?"

Terry Armstrong ( Signum Ops | Product Catalog) published an excellent book by Doug Armstrong entitled "Practical Conservation of Archaeological Objects" which is highly recommended and available from Amazon here: Practical Conservation of Archaeological Objects: A layman's guide to the stabilization, preservation, and repair of antique artifacts (Volume 1): Douglas R. Armstrong: 9781480100558: Amazon.com: Books .
If you are in a hurry to get started TAMU makes this guide available online: Conservation Research Laboratory - Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation - Texas A&M University.
I hope this helps.

 

[VERODIGDUG]

Thanks!

 

[VERODIGDUG]

Turned out to be junk....the bracelet isn't metallic but also has no markings.everything else was trash. Goldfish looking thing was a gold fishing lure..
I'm not posting again till I find and KNOW that I actually found something worth while! Haha

 

[VERODIGDUG]

Gold'ish not goldfish

 

[Hangingfor8]

Keep on trying and posting... often things I thought were junk turn out to be treasures... I enjoyed the post and who knows what you can learn from it all.

 

[GatorBoy]

Until we have a good wind event.. hopefully not from the east ..the low tide hunting will be the best bet on the shipwreck beaches in my opinion.
Keep at it.. and good luck.
I went yesterday at low tide.. detected for three hours and the best I could do was some iron trash and a nice fossil.
Keep in mind.. when conditions are bad for one type of treasure.. they may be better for another type.
Keep an eye out for surface finds like ceramics when its like this.

 

[VERODIGDUG]

Thanks for the advice

 

[Red_desert]

At least you have a beach to go hunt for treasure. Some of us are landlocked away from the ocean, only a couple local tiny man made spots they call a beach (what a joke) for sun bathers.