Author Topic: Shine look on antlers??? (Read 24153 times)

MuleyJam · « **on:** December 12, 2012, 12:58:26 PM »

Hey I have a question for you guys, I have a little taxidermy hobby I do skins and European mounts for my friend's and this year he asked if I could gloss the antlers to give it that natural shine look... What should I put on the antlers??

washelkhunter · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:00:19 PM »

Why antler wax of course.

bugs n bones · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:01:45 PM »

Future floor wax or mop and glo

Michelle_Nelson · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:03:23 PM »

I use Old English oil. It comes in dark and light wood. The color of the antlers will determin what color you want to use. Though you really can't go wrong with the light. Just wipe it on and let it set for an hour or so (do not get it on the skull) and than wipe it off read good with a dry rag.

HornHoarder · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:04:14 PM »

linseed oil, or is it lindseed oil

MuleyJam · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:08:19 PM »

I tried the linseed oil method it seemed to take more than one coat and got really sticky and doesn't want to dry.

MuleyJam · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:08:54 PM »

Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on December 12, 2012, 01:03:23 PM

I use Old English oil. It comes in dark and light wood. The color of the antlers will determin what color you want to use. Though you really can't go wrong with the light. Just wipe it on and let it set for an hour or so (do not get it on the skull) and than wipe it off read good with a dry rag.

Why wipe off??

boneaddict · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:35:18 PM »

It will look completely unnatural if you don't. I use WD-40

GoldTip · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:01:37 PM »

A light coat of 10w40, preferably Pennzoil, no, no make that Quaker state. Run over it with a dry towel.

Maverick · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2012, 03:13:12 PM »

How long will wd40 last?

boneaddict · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2012, 03:15:47 PM »

Seems like I do it every 6 mos or so. It keeps them looking healthy. Its light enough that it doesn't "attract" dirt or stain your antlers. It reconditions the wood that is stuck in the burrs and makes them appear rich and dark or enhances the natural color versus changing the color. I really like it.

Maverick · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2012, 03:29:11 PM »

I have some sheds ill try that on!

fair-chase · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2012, 03:51:49 PM »

Quote from: boneaddict on December 12, 2012, 03:15:47 PM

Seems like I do it every 6 mos or so. It keeps them looking healthy. Its light enough that it doesn't "attract" dirt or stain your antlers. It reconditions the wood that is stuck in the burrs and makes them appear rich and dark or enhances the natural color versus changing the color. I really like it.

Hmm, Interesting.

My father has what could have been an exceptional muley european mount, that unfortunately had a ghastly amount of varnish applied to the antlers. It looks completely unnatural, tacky, and shinier than a new penny. I'm talking put on your sun glasses when you enter the room kind of glare coming off these cursed things.

Growing up I always despised this abomination of a euro. Possibly due to some deep seeded angst that it was bigger than any of mine, but I will maintain that it was the eye blistering shine.

Therefore, to avoid this catastrophe form happening to my mounts, I have always left them "dry". Now they aren't to the point of sun bleached, but they definitely could use some maintenance...I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks. It's nice to know that there may be a happy medium between gouge your eyes out polished and talcum powder dry.

elkaholic123 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2012, 04:30:33 PM »

Mop and glow, best thing there is.

Maverick · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2012, 05:14:54 PM »

Fair chase I've seen racks like your describing and they look terrible!

coachcw · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2012, 05:27:42 PM »

plus wd40 smells great !

boneaddict · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2012, 06:11:55 PM »

almost as good as Hoppes9

Fairchase, I ABSOLUTELY hate that look, and assure you WD works great.

Bean Counter · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2012, 07:47:32 PM »

Quote from: boneaddict on December 12, 2012, 03:15:47 PM

Seems like I do it every 6 mos or so. It keeps them looking healthy. Its light enough that it doesn't "attract" dirt or stain your antlers. It reconditions the wood that is stuck in the burrs and makes them appear rich and dark or enhances the natural color versus changing the color. I really like it.

Bone, how many years have you been using WD-40? Any concerns that over time it might be disolving away the antler over time?

boneaddict · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2012, 07:55:30 PM »

I use so little, no concerns so far. probably 25 years or so. I bought an actual antler conditioner from Research man or Mckenzies and I think it must dang near be the same stuff. I am VERY careful not to get any on the hair

mtndew · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2012, 07:59:58 PM »

I am a big fan of the mop and glow!

Jason · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2012, 08:20:00 PM »

Once a year I hit the few horns I have on the walls with Bee's Wax.

daydreamn · « **Reply #21 on:** December 12, 2012, 08:46:19 PM »

There is little to no NATURAL shine on any antlers I've ever seen.

sirmissalot · « **Reply #22 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:07:54 PM »

I use nothing other than a swifter duster every once and a while. Not a fan of shiny horns.

Mr Mykiss · « **Reply #23 on:** December 15, 2012, 05:48:53 PM »

Along these same lines. I have a set of horns that I stripped off a bunch of velvet and what was under the velvet is now BRIGHT WHITE. You think a little WD-40 would lend a little consistency to the color of my horns?
PS: Once the velvet is off you can't put it back on so that ship has sailed...

boneaddict · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2012, 07:57:58 AM »

No, it does not add color. There is at least one staining method which I approve, as I hate varnished or stained antlers. I'd suggest you try it on a shed or something not important to you. Its essentially using a minwax product and then applying mud to the antlers, then steel wool. The antlers come out looking extremely natural. Again, I do not like the stained or varnished look. I need to do a how to one of these days on this method. Maybe in one of our future huntwa magazines.

PolarBear · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2012, 08:25:59 AM »

I shoot a clear matte finish on all my skulls and antlers. It gives them a nice satin look, seals and protects. I get it at the crafts store. It is non yellowing. It does a great job of sealing the skulls so dust and dirt won't stain it. It also makes it much easier to dust. I have been doing this for 20 years and they look as clean and white as the day that I did them.

Seabeckian · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2012, 02:23:36 PM »

Quote from: PolarBear on December 16, 2012, 08:25:59 AM

I shoot a clear matte finish on all my skulls and antlers. It gives them a nice satin look, seals and protects. I get it at the crafts store. It is non yellowing. It does a great job of sealing the skulls so dust and dirt won't stain it. It also makes it much easier to dust. I have been doing this for 20 years and they look as clean and white as the day that I did them.

I do the same thing. The matte gives it that little bit of gloss that makes it look perfect (I hate unnaturally shinny antlers) and makes cleaning easier. Also you don't have to do it every year, just keep them clean and maybe a little periodic Old English. Its a little pricey per quart, but it goes a long ways. I even do my sheds.

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Author Topic: Shine look on antlers??? (Read 24153 times)

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