I need advice- restoring antlers

[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!