Rewoquat – The Proven Special Surfactant for Fossil and Mineral Preparation
Rewoquat reliably removes the “primordial sludge” from fossils and has been an established cleaning agent in paleontological preparation for years. Marly and clay-rich rocks can be removed effectively and gently by soaking the finds in the concentrated surfactant solution—without damaging sensitive calcium compounds. This is precisely why we at TOP GEO regularly use Rewoquat ourselves for the chemical preparation of our own fossil finds.
Action and Chemical Properties of Rewoquat
Rewoquat belongs to the group of surfactants (detergents), which are surface-active substances that reduce the surface tension of solvents. This allows even poorly soluble sediment components to be effectively softened and removed. Its effect is based on the formation of micelles, which act as emulsifiers and bring insoluble compounds into solution. Rewoquat is particularly suitable for fossils with a clearly defined phase boundary, such as limestone-claystone, dolomite-claystone, or chert-clay.
Proven Areas of Application for Rewoquat
Our own experience shows that Rewoquat has proven to be excellent for:
- Silurian fossils from Gotland
- Devonian fossils from the Eifel region
- Fossils from the Pannonian layers of Moravia and Hungary
- Fossils from the Czech Cretaceous period
- Minerals from clay deposits, e.g., Gypsum from Strkovice
- Cleaning hydrothermal barytes from the karst caves of Dřínová near Tišnov
These examples illustrate the versatility of the product and come from our own practical preparation experience.
Application and Advantages of Rewoquat
- Fossils can either be soaked or brushed with the solution for several hours.
- After soaking, a warm water treatment is recommended, which enhances the softening effect.
- Unlike more aggressive agents such as KOH (Caustic Potash), Rewoquat does not attack calcitic fossils, even with prolonged exposure.
Details on mixing Rewoquat and tips for use can be found at Steinkern.
Rewoquat Packaging Sizes
The surfactant is dissolved in isopropanol, a common solvent. You can buy Rewoquat from us in various packaging sizes:
- 0.5 Litre Bottle
- 1 Litre Bottle
- 4 Litre Pack (especially cost-effective)
- Larger quantities are available upon request
Rewoquat cleaning agent for fossils 1 liter
Item-No.: REW1 Price: 27.00 EUR
Rewoquat cleaning agent for fossils 4 liter
Item-No.: REW4 Price: 72.00 EUR