Protective coating on euro mounts

[7mmfan]

I've read a few ideas on this both the skull and the antlers. Some say leave it, some say polyurethane, some say mop and glo.

I put a light coat of Mop and Glo on one skull recently and it looks pretty sharp. I played with it a bit on some burner skulls and found 2 coats was just to much. I'm happy with this tactic.

But now the antlers look dull and faded next to the slightly shiny skull. I believe I read on here at some point in the past that guys rubbed their antlers with WD-40,  does that ring any bells? I tried it on a couple sheds and it actually looks pretty good. Any long term issues with this that I'm not considering? It would seem the oils would protect and even give the antlers some natural luster. Also, a light coat might protect from dust and overall grime?

Any other suggestions?

[andersonjk4]

I don’t have any direct experience with putting any sort off oil based product on antlers or skulls, but I think using anything oil based like WD40 would actually attract and accumulate dust and not repel it. I usually just dust my skulls and antlers with Pledge or equivalent furniture dusting spray. I’m curious what others do as well.

[blindluck]

Mop and glo on the antlers is the ticket.

[shmacker]

I have had good luck with applying linseed oil to the antlers.  Not too shiny, and haven't had any issue with it collecting dust. 

[fowl smacker]

Leave natural.  Why in the world would you want your skull and antlers shiny.  If you want a white shiny skull might as well paint it with white high gloss paint.   

[cougforester]

Mop n Glo is great. I shoot some inside the skull as well and swish it around just in case I didn't get 100% of the tissue out and that keeps it from smelling as well. Makes cleaning on the outside of the skull much easier too.

[7mmfan]

Leave natural.  Why in the world would you want your skull and antlers shiny.  If you want a white shiny skull might as well paint it with white high gloss paint.   

It's not that I want a bright white shiny skull and antlers, I don't want them to fade and chalk up over time.

I applied some wd-40 to a test set of antlers a few days ago and checked it this morning and honestly I'm pretty happy with it so far. The "shine" has faded but left it with what I feel is a really good natural luster that's very similar to what the antlers had when I shot the buck. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.

[fowl smacker]

Just get some antler and horn conditioner from a taxidermy supply co. like Research or McKenzie

[7mmfan]

That's what I was looking for. Didn't know such a thing existed.

[blindluck]

Mop n glow will give a natural look for years, think of a late season buck in the winter on a foggy day, just wipe on with a rag. Very natural looking.