Degreasing Bear Skull

[troyspinetar]

So my skull has been cleaned, now sitting in "Dawn" degreasing bath. I've read it can take weeks to months at this stage. My question is, how do you know when the skull is done? Is there a particular look or feel to the skull or should the bath water have a certain tint? I'm ready for the long haul, but being this is my first time I'm not sure exactly what to look for. Thanks.
I've been looking on the forum for tips and tricks on the topic, forgive me if I've missed it. Thanks!

[PolarBear]

After a few days the bubbles will leave and it is flat water.  Look for the thin grease slick on the top of the water.  I let it go until I no longer get that grease slick after changing water and letting it settle.  I'm doing an elk head right now that has been degreasing for 2 months and still is not done.  Bear might take even longer.

[troyspinetar]

Right on thanks Polar Bear!

[PolarBear]

No problem.  It takes a long time but it is well worth it especially if you have ever done one only to have grease leach through a couple of months after hanging it in your house.

[troyspinetar]

For sure. I was amazed at how greasy and slimy the skull was when I was picking and cleaning! It should turn out nice.

[blindluck]

PolarBear, what is your water temp for degreasing, right now I have 4 bear skulls and a deer degreasing in a tub with a fish tank heater about 82 deg. 

[PolarBear]

I keep mine around 90-92.  I found out last year that putting a bunch of heads in at the same time made it take longer and was tougher to get th grease out.   

[blindluck]

Note taken, Thanks

[troyspinetar]

Does it not work if you don't have your water up above room temp? Or does it just take longer? I guess I need to pick up a heater. Thanks guys.

[Elk whack master]

How so you get the water to 120? A special heater? I used a  big aquarium heater and only able to get it to low to mid 90s in a cooler outside last  winter.

[Elk whack master]

Thanks! I'll try that to finish degreasing. I gave up and its still has yellow spots sitting in a garbage bag.

[blindluck]

Thanks to everyone for the tips, I just built a degreasing tub with a 1500 watt heater element, I filled it with water above the element and put my two 5 gal buckets full of water in the tub now she is degreasing away at 120 degrees. No more fish tank heater.

[blindluck]

just out of curiosity what are peoples experience length of time degreasing a boiled skull vs a beetled or macerated skull? I would bet the boiled would be considerably longer.

[daydreamn]

Macerated skulls.  48 hrs @130. About 1 cup of Dawn per 10 gallons water.  If they are fresh skulls I get zero oil spots when done.  Older skulls take a couple days longer.  I just finished 4 deer and a mt goat this week end and scraped about a full cup of grease and oil off the top of the tub.

[sirmissalot]

You really need to get the water warmer than room temperature or even a fish tank heater can get. The easiest thing I've found for doing one deer or bear skull at a time is a 6 quart crock pot on the keep warm setting, its right around 120 which is perfect to get the fat and grease to leach out. I have a big tub with a water heater and thermostat for doing elk size skulls.

The more water change outs you do, the faster the process will go. You want to keep the skull in clean and clear water, so the first week or so you should be doing water change outs every day or every other day. When the skull is sitting in cloudy, greasy water its not going to pull the grease out nearly as fast. A bear skull should be done in a month or so if done right, but sometimes they will take a bit longer.

More dawn is not always better either, just add enough to make soapy water if you were to splash it around.

[pd]

Thanks to everyone for the tips, I just built a degreasing tub with a 1500 watt heater element, I filled it with water above the element and put my two 5 gal buckets full of water in the tub now she is degreasing away at 120 degrees. No more fish tank heater.

Could you describe the 1,500W heater element.  I have a deer skull that needs some re-work.

[blindluck]

pd I bought a 1500 watt water heater element at home depot drilled a 1 1/4" hole about 4'' up from the bottom of a plastic storage bin, the element will seal up against the tub on the outside. then i used a PVC threaded coupler on the inside of the tub to hold the element tight to the wall of the tub. you also want to use high temp silicone where the coupler seals against the tub. Then mount a lower thermostat to the side of the tub and use the silicone where the two bolts mount thru the tub. I bought a extension cord and wired the element to the thermostat then from the thermostat about a 5 foot lead that plugs into the outlet. works perfect.  $25.00 to build an about 30 minutes. key is never let the element get above the water when plugged in or it will burn up.

[pd]

pd I bought a 1500 watt water heater element at home depot drilled a 1 1/4" hole about 4'' up from the bottom of a plastic storage bin, the element will seal up against the tub on the outside. then i used a PVC threaded coupler on the inside of the tub to hold the element tight to the wall of the tub. you also want to use high temp silicone where the coupler seals against the tub. Then mount a lower thermostat to the side of the tub and use the silicone where the two bolts mount thru the tub. I bought a extension cord and wired the element to the thermostat then from the thermostat about a 5 foot lead that plugs into the outlet. works perfect.  $25.00 to build an about 30 minutes. key is never let the element get above the water when plugged in or it will burn up.

That is very clever, BlindLuck.  Thanks for sharing.

[NRA4LIFE]

I put a bit of 20 mule team borax in my boiling water when cleaning the skull and it is nearly degreased already when I am done.  A quick soak in hot dawn & water and it's done.  I have never had any grease leach out of any of my skulls.  Have done a half dozen or so like this.  The borax also aids in getting all the crud out as it turns it all jelly-like.

[sirmissalot]

I put a bit of 20 mule team borax in my boiling water when cleaning the skull and it is nearly degreased already when I am done.  A quick soak in hot dawn & water and it's done.  I have never had any grease leach out of any of my skulls.  Have done a half dozen or so like this.  The borax also aids in getting all the crud out as it turns it all jelly-like.

Do you mind posting a few pictures? I've never seen a boiled skull turn out pure white, and definitely not stay pure white if not degreased.