I need advice- restoring antlers

[adrenalinapursuit]

Hey guys, I got these moose antlers from a buddy that I want to restore a bit for their wedding present. They have been hung outside for a long time as you can see, but I'm looking for advice to at least make em look somewhat decent again. Don't have to be good as new but at least fox some cracks and coloring a bit. Any help or suggestions?? Thanks

[Michelle_Nelson]

That right there is a LOT of work.  Even just to make them look decent.  That bone is so dry anything you put on it is just going to soak in like a dry sponge.

[adrenalinapursuit]

Ok so is there anything I can do?

[Hunting Cowboy]

I sent you a PM

[Coasthunterjay]

Like what Michelle said that is a redicilulous amount of work. I can't go into exact detail as to what you will need to do but I'll give yah a start.

Your gonna need to seal your antlers so that they don't soak in anymore paint. I would use oil based paints because I think the translucent effects and blending look nicer, but a lightly tinted base color will work for the whole thing. and when it dries it will have that enamel sheen like real antler has. But others use all kind of things to get there colors. It will take a long time to get the oil based paint to dry between coats...remember that last. Coats is the trick to getting the best blended antler you can get. A project like this I think would take me upwards of 4-6months or more to even start seeing where the tones and colors are gonna go. Start super light and go from there.

Good hard project man! Have fun.

[adrenalinapursuit]

Thanks for the advice! I know I've heard this trick before. it'd be a hefty job for the ole polish, but if nothing else. Fun to try. I've got some sheds I will test first! Thanks for the advice!

[meatwhack]

Antler repair of cracked or slightly chalked antlers is very doable just takes some time and playing with to figure out what works the best.  I would suggest finding some small deer or elk antlers to play with that are in similar condition so that you don't screw up the ones that you want to turn out nice.  The first thing I would do on any antlers like this is clean them really well.  Once they are clean you have to seal them so that they don't soak up all of your stain and turn way darker then you want.  This can be done with a lacquer.  Once you have the natlers sealed then you can slowly work up to the desired color with different stains.  This all takes some time and playing with to figure out what works best so definately try to find some other antlers to start with.

[adrenalinapursuit]

Thanks to the advice from Rick at cedar river taxidermy, I finished my moose antler restore. Turned out pretty good!

[runamuk]

Thanks to the advice from Rick at cedar river taxidermy, I finished my moose antler restore. Turned out pretty good!

can you pm what you did because it looks fabulous, I have been working on preserving a scorched skull.....am thinking of just dipping the darn thing in resin like fiberglass or something

[longrangekiller]

U have to give away what u did.......? Those look awesome good job 

[huntnphool]

Well done

[McCRIZZLEY]

Can we see some close ups?

[cedarriver]

 Wow, nice job Adrenalin, those look great!! Glad I could help.

[couesbitten]

They look awesome, and it didn't take anywhere near 4-6 months.

[lewy]

  yeah you have gotta share the process

[MtnMuley]

Very nice Glad a member helped you out.  If I would have seen this post earlier, I would've commented against many of the comments of it being too much work.  There are ways to make even the most weathered antlers look good again that isn't that time consuming or difficult.

[cbond3318]

holy smokes! First time seeing this thread and as I read through I thought it was going to be a long drawn out "can't be done" "too far gone" "impossible" type threads, I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome!! Awesome job !!! Good on the advice givers!

[adrenalinapursuit]

Thanks all! Yea fun process, I will take some close ups and post when I get a chance. It was work but worth the finished product I think!

[BoomWhop]

tag

[Pygmy]

Wow, looks amazing!   And to Rick...

[blindluck]

Adrenalin They look great, I didn't catch what your process was.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Heck yeah they did ...your hired 

[jason stevens]

Nicely done

[Wilderness Addict]

They look great. What all did you do, please share?

[Bean Counter]

Antler repair of cracked or slightly chalked antlers is very doable just takes some time and playing with to figure out what works the best.  I would suggest finding some small deer or elk antlers to play with that are in similar condition so that you don't screw up the ones that you want to turn out nice.  The first thing I would do on any antlers like this is clean them really well.  Once they are clean you have to seal them so that they don't soak up all of your stain and turn way darker then you want.  This can be done with a lacquer.  Once you have the natlers sealed then you can slowly work up to the desired color with different stains.  This all takes some time and playing with to figure out what works best so definately try to find some other antlers to start with.

I was fixing to use Erich Carters method of oil based paints in uber thin coats diluted by lacquer thinner. Can I use something else, like latex, as a base coat so the thinner doesn't remove my base?

Thanks

[JJB11B]

Ok I have a set of white tail antlers I am going to saw off a chewed up skull and try now. I would like some advice too!. This could be fun hobby on shed antlers.

[T-Dozzer]

Wow......never would have thought they would turn out that good.
 

[adrenalinapursuit]

PM me if your interested, rather not publicly post someone else's techniques but willing to help!

[cedarriver]

 Thanks Adrenalin, but no big secret. Feel free to share, but it's kind of hard to explain without just showing like we did. Especially when the antlers are as dried out as yours were. Just got to be real careful not to get them to dark.

[Pygmy]

Thanks Adrenalin, but no big secret. Feel free to share, but it's kind of hard to explain without just showing like we did. Especially when the antlers are as dried out as yours were. Just got to be real careful not to get them to dark.

You do amazing taxidermy Rick.  Nice to see taxidermists helping individuals out with their projects!

[adrenalinapursuit]

Thanks Adrenalin, but no big secret. Feel free to share, but it's kind of hard to explain without just showing like we did. Especially when the antlers are as dried out as yours were. Just got to be real careful not to get them to dark.

Thanks Rick, sounds good! And thanks again for your help! I will swing them in when I get some time here soon!