How to do a European Mount. . . Maceration.

[Knocker of rocks]

Most I have found is 12%.

I bought some from a pool supply company that was 28%, I believe.  They claim that DHS will only allow them to sell for verified use in pools only, so I had to lie.  Hair salon supply outlets have also claimed to me that they are allowed to sell only "limited" quanities "according to the FBI".

I haven't been able to verify federal rules requiring this

[sirmissalot]

The pool supply stuff is the best I have found, although I have heard of people finding higher strength concentrations online.

I use pool stuff. Baquacil oxidizer is the popular stuff.

Robodad I have never coated the vase of the antlers, but some do. Just place the skull in a container, fill with peroxide to just below the antler bases, then wrap the bases (just under the antler burrs, not on the antler) with some paper towels or terry cloth rags. This will soak up the peroxide, but poor peroxide over the rag every couple hours to keep them wet.

One thing to be careful with is if your skull isn't degreased properly it will foam up like crazy in the peroxide, you don't want any of the foam getting on the horns.

[Michelle_Nelson]

The baquicil pool oxidizer is 27%.  You don't need anything stronger.  Your just wasting your time by looking.  I used it for a few years.  Til I started picking it up when I baught Taxi Supplies because it was the same price.

Make sure you don't get that stuff on your skin it will burn you like a son of a ****.

[Lenvw]

Hey Michelle, is it necessary to use the acetone, or can that step be skipped?

[Michelle_Nelson]

I usually only use Acetone on Bear/Cougar/Predators.

[Lenvw]

Ok, thanks Michelle. And also, do you keep the electrical tape and paper towel around the bones while its in the dawn solution?

[Lenvw]

Michelle, how did you figure out the dawn mixture? And also by using a higher rate of dawn to water, do you think the degreasing process would go quicker?

[Michelle_Nelson]

No I only tape it after it has been whitened and while it is drying.  Try not to use paper towels with pictures or colored printing on it.

I got the ratio of Dawn and Water from another taxidermist.  I do not think adding more dawn will quicket the degreasing process.  Hot water (115 degrees) and water changes every 2-3 days is what you need.

[robodad]

What do you suppose I could do about this

It is the stuff from the elk rubbing on whatever flaking off

[Michelle_Nelson]

What do you mean what to do about it?  Do you want it off or do you want to keep it?

If you want to keep it, good luck.  Just be careful.

If you want it off you can remove it.  Use a wire brush or pick it off.  It looks like it will eventually flake off anyway over time. 

[robodad]

What do you mean what to do about it?  Do you want it off or do you want to keep it?

If you want to keep it, good luck.  Just be careful.

If you want it off you can remove it.  Use a wire brush or pick it off.  It looks like it will eventually flake off anyway over time.

I guess I should have been more specific in that I am wondering what you do when that sort of thing happens to the ones your working on ?? I just brushed it off with a stiff brush but now it doesn't look like it did when shot so thats why I was curious what I could have done to fix it. Sorry for being so vague !!

[Michelle_Nelson]

You mean what could you have done to repair it after it cracked?

Nothing really.  You could have just left it alone and if it does it does. 

Is the antler white under all the stuff you removed?

[robodad]

You mean what could you have done to repair it after it cracked?

Nothing really.  You could have just left it alone and if it does it does. 

Is the antler white under all the stuff you removed?

Nah it isn't white but lighter in color then the rest of the set, I thought you may have a great idea to make it right again, I guess the answer is not to let it happen in the first place eh !!!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Apparently I'm not getting what you want.

Are you asking if I have a great way to prevent the stuff from cracking and coming off or how to resatin the light spots?

[sirmissalot]

I don't think there's much you could have done to prevent it. I always try to leave the mud and bark stuff on the bases but its pretty impossible through all the moisture with Macerating and degreasing. Just color it up it will look fine