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Post by Purebred Redneck on Oct 12, 2005 10:38:03 GMT -5
Ok. so I finally got around to thinking about taking care of my deer skull that's been hanging outside since LAST September. It's got mold on the skull part, but most importantly the antlers are showing a little bit of weathering. Is there a way to get some color and shine back on the antlers? My dad of course recommended shoe polish and polyurathine  ;D |
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Post by jimh on Oct 12, 2005 10:46:12 GMT -5
red, a guy on another forum talked about using "restore" on his sun bleached rack to get it's color back. i have never heard of this product before but i did send him a PM to ask what it is and where to get it. if no one has any info for you here i'll post the answer when he replies.
i have heard of using liquid gold on regular antlers to bring the luster and color out. was told to do that once a year.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Oct 12, 2005 12:10:28 GMT -5
Thanks Jim.
I guess one could even use something like furnature polish.
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Post by deputydon on Oct 12, 2005 12:46:17 GMT -5
I beleive shoe polish is the most common and easiest. Use a liquid type and wipe off before it's dry.Also Stumpjumper might be able to share some tricks of the trade w/ ya.
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Post by jimh on Oct 13, 2005 9:50:43 GMT -5
red the guy replied back to me, he said "Restore" is a furnature polish restore product. he swears by it. but he's not a profesional, but did spend a night in a holiday inn.
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Post by stumpjumper on Oct 18, 2005 0:06:05 GMT -5
Hey there PBR ~ To get rid of the mold & mildew from the skull, Make a week solution of warm/hot water & bleach. Use a tooth brush to apply the solution. After lettin' it set for a couple minutes, go ahead & scrub it down. If the antlers are chalky or have calcium flakes stickin' up, you can remove them by using fine steel wool (#0000). If it is still chalky then DO NOT applyany stains to it, weather it be hardware store brands, or speical stain for antlers. When they are in this condition, the bone is super porous, & will draw to much stain in to deep & they will be to dark FOREVER   . To put a finish on it so it preserves your antlers, I stay away from varnishes, shalacks, polyurathines ect...Things that will put a permenet glaze finish on it, & is a pain to remove without using harsh chemicals that may do damage to your antlers a few years down the road. These finishes will discolor on ya down the road  .. I usually use some sort polish that doesn't leave a solid shell on it. A polish that puts a thin coat to protect them from the elements & such. *D.D. mentioned a liquid type polish. That is a wise choice. This will not run, discolor. I don't really like my antlers with a high gloss, so what ya might want to do is to sample useing a point or rack laying around useing several differant types, brands of polishes , finishes edt....& use the brand that looks right for your tastes. Good luck dude. |
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Post by jimh on Oct 19, 2005 10:22:33 GMT -5
stumpjumper, i have had several folks tell me not to use bleech on a skull as it will/can eat away at the natural glue holding the skull plate together. i was told to use strong hydrogen peroxide because it would not break down the skull cap. any comments on this?
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Oct 19, 2005 11:27:35 GMT -5
Stumpjumper told me not to soak it in bleach. Quickly I ran outside and pulled the skull out of a bucket of bleachwater!!! lol
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Post by stumpjumper on Oct 20, 2005 0:29:11 GMT -5
jimh ~
That is correct. Bleach is a very harsh cleaner. Proxide is great as well. But I don't care to much for the 3% for removing mold & mildew. 40% or 50% Hydrogen Peroxide is what I prefer, but ain't something you are gonna pick up at your local drug store.
As for the bleach solution I mentioned earlier, The concocktion is quite week. I use 2 to 3 shotglasses full of HOT water, to 1/2 a shot of bleach. Then I use an ol' tooth scrubber & dip the brush in this mix. Just brush with quick strokes until you have covered the skull. Now all ya have to do now is to use the brush & scrub it. The bleach for the most part already killed the mildew & chances are, made it disappear. Once you have gave it a scrubbin', rince it off with cold water. Allow it to dry real good like before you apply a finish to it. I keep them somewhere that is elevated out of reach from critters wantin' to knaw on it.
You will have some shrinkage, but that isn't a problem. If you fill the squiggly lines with a strong epoxy, like 5 min. epoxy, this will eliminate the movment on the skull where it can/will have some movment to it.
I don't recommend soakin' a skull, even if it is fresh water.
Now this is just what works for me,& had my best results using it in this mannor. Beatle's are by far the BEST way to go.
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Post by jimh on Oct 20, 2005 8:53:15 GMT -5
what about Baquacil brand Shock, it is around 30% or is that not strong enough?
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Post by stumpjumper on Oct 21, 2005 18:10:14 GMT -5
Jimh ~
Sure. Thats plenty strong enough. Baquacil shock that I have seen is 27%, it can be gottin' at a swimmin pool store. I am not sure if it can be had with more or less of a percentage, but this product would do just fine.
Oh yea. When I said about applying the bleach solution, & brushin it on. DO NOT SOKE. All ya need to do is just bairly touch it. Bleach, even in it's deluted state is still strong enough to displace mildew & mold.
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Post by stumpjumper on Dec 26, 2005 14:28:53 GMT -5
PBR~ How did ya make out with your deer skull project from back in October  |
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 26, 2005 15:48:04 GMT -5
I made out as expected. I got pissed off at the POS kit and threw it in the trash.  I have the antlers clean hanging up on their own...half*** |
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;D
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.. I usually use some sort polish that doesn't leave a solid shell on it. A polish that puts a thin coat to protect them from the elements & such. *D.D. mentioned a liquid type polish. That is a wise choice. This will not run, discolor. I don't really like my antlers with a high gloss, so what ya might want to do is to sample useing a point or rack laying around useing several differant types, brands of polishes , finishes edt....& use the brand that looks right for your tastes. Good luck dude. 
