last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?

[fly4fish]

Turned out pretty well considering what you started with. The upper jaw fell off like mine typically do. I usually fish them out and glue them back on when everything is finished; looks a lot better with them on there I think.

Definitely worth the work!

[BOWHUNTER45]

There is a couple ways to do it but I think if you want one done the way it would look the best would be using beetles ...boiling and all that stuff has no room for error especially if you want it to look good as it could possibly can be ....But other than that you done O.k for trying to do it yourself ...congrats on the buck 

[PolarBear]

I do skulls as well, my process is to skin the head remove the lower jaw and eyes, I then simmer to low boil with dish soap, change water once half way thru. once i am satisfied and all the meat is removed i mix 40 volume developer and basic white bleach powder bought at a beauty supply store. Mix to a paste consistancy brush it on thick wait a day rinse off. they turn out bright white just like the professional beetle cleaning. I would show pics of my skulls but i cant figure out how to post pictures. I also learned the fresher the skull the better they turn out, the longer they are in the freezer they tend to stain deeper into the bone. Happy skull cleaning.

I macerate but use 50 volume peroxide and Basic White 2.  They come out mighty white.

[PolarBear]

Just for reference, this is the difference between boiling and bleaching and maceration and peroxide.
 Boiling and bleaching:


Maceration and 40-50 volume peroxide and Basic White 2:



Maceration and peroxide.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Boiling and bleaching:

The yellow in the forehead is grease that has seeped into the bone due to the heat from the boiling.  If left there it will turn a deeper yellow and the longer it sets the harder it is to get the color out and get it white.  Not to mention the grease is much harder to get out.

[blindluck]

Where do you get 50 volume peroxide and is it expensive?

[Knocker of rocks]

Where do you get 50 volume peroxide and is it expensive?

See cautions
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,135974.msg1785001/boardseen.html#new

[dscubame]

I prefer the natural bone color over the unnatural "bleached" white look.  Good job.

[chinookie23]

polarbear your showing off your trophies now  ;)i hope you know  i am totally joking  anyway awesome comparison of the different ways the mounts turn out. BTW awesome tropies you habe there too..

[Michelle_Nelson]

I prefer the natural bone color over the unnatural "bleached" white look.  Good job.

If you want a more natural bone color then after you whiten the skull let it soak in several changer of warmwater for several hours.  This dilutes the peroxide.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Where do you get 50 volume peroxide and is it expensive?

50 Volume Hair Developer is 15% peroxide.

[blindluck]

Thank you for the tip, I have always done the simmer then peroxide method and my skulls are nice and white but I want to perfect it and maceration sounds like the way to go. Thank you

If anyone can share with me how to post a picture I would be truly thankful. I'm going nuts trying to figure it out!!

[Tall Timber]

I boil my skulls the day I get home. after 6 to 8 hours I use a pressure washer to finish the job. Then I mix some bleach and water and let the skull sit overnight. It works great.http://hunting-washington.com/smf/Smileys/default/thumbsup.gif

[blindluck]

Does anyone know if 50 vol developer and basic white works as well as high strength peroxide like 30 or 40 percent.

[YoterHunter]

just watch how much bleach you use . it makes the skull real brittle