Skull Brightening

[littletoes]

OK, got my Son's buck-skull all cleaned up, and i want to bleach it, but everyone tells me to use the off-the-shelf peroxide, and all I've got is the 40% stuff from the hair store...

Anyone know the "safe" way to do this? Just paint it on, or can it be diluted with water???

[Fesup]

I did an elk skull I used the  hair peroxide used a paint brush got it in there real good. then wrapped it in newspaper placed more on the newspaper. making sure not to get any on the horns at all. I then wrapped it in a black garbage plastic bag. taped it around the horns base so none dripped out onto them. let it sit. after a couple days removed it all washed it real good then mixed up elmers white glue with water to a runny paste. again used a brush to fill and coat the entire skull. this not only gives the skull a nice white look but fills some of the Small cracks. I then stained the Horns and placed them on a maple mount. they turned out real nice my wife even let me hang it in the living room Ha!

[Michelle_Nelson]

I wouldn't use the Elmer's glue.  Just go buy some Matte Clear Coat.  Once the skull is good and dry spray on a couple layers.  Let it dry between coats!

As for the 40% Peroxide.  Where did you guys find it.  I went in to a shop and they looked at me like I was stupid when I asked for it!  Well I guess they looked at me stupid twice what I told them what it was for!

[littletoes]

Woman's beuty supply store, they use it to bleach hair out, and its only about $3 for a bottle.

Hey Fesup, what did the skull look like after the peroxice by itself???

Michelle, I wasn't sure if I want to do the clear coat or not. Seen 'em both ways though.

[Coasthunterjay]

skull whitening.....well this is what i did for my deer this year because im saving up to get it taxi'd i decided to whiten it for now. i got i think a 10-20% solution from the store and got a disposable turkey pan. i used all of the peroxide in with the water. and the pan needs to be big enough to put my skull in and then i put some wire around it to support it so that the most would be under water. I then filled it up with water just about up to the bottom of the horns. you want to make sure that none of the horns touches or gets in contact in any way with the peroxide. DONT LET THE SOLUTION TOUCH THE HORNS. I then took the remaining unsoaked parts of the skull and covered them with papertowls. i cut them in long skinny pieces wrapped them all around the underneath of the antlers and then so on and so on. after that i let it soak for about a day and overnight stirring the solution every hour or so with a spoon making sure not to splash any and then using the spoon to pour on the paper towls that are on the top of the skull.
after i let it soak i pulled it out brought it into my bathtub carefully rinsed it out and then hung it up and let it dry.
now when you let it dry you want to make sure you put it in a sunny spot. now i live on the shady side of the lake so most my direct sunlight is blocked by the Mountains so i just took my saltwater lights pulled them off the aquarium and let them shine the crap out of it.

i think overall it looks very well. i didnt use elmers because i think the little cracks and what not look cool. ill post some pics later.oh and with the clear coat i would recommend getting a more expensive clear coat maybe something from an art store. they have all types of finishes that you can pick for your choosing. i again will not spray mine either................AJ

[boneaddict]

I don't like the clear coat look, but I knwo many do.

[Fesup]

ya the peroxide worked good I too got it at a hair supply store. the peroxide makes the skull realy white but the small bones I found became brittle thats why I used the glue mix and it hasnt faded or turned yellow in over two years.

[littletoes]

OK, everything I've heard or read says "Put it in the sun for a day or two..." I don't know if anybody relizes it, but I doubt that we will see the sun around here for quite a while...

Anybody have any other ideas?

[PolarBear]

Go to a beauty supply and ask for creamy 40 volume peroxide and Clairol Basic White 2.  I am getting ready to bleach my bucks from last year and this year.  I will take some pics of the process for reference purposes and post them sometime this week.  I am also going to restore the color on last years buck.  I'll take pics of that process as well.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Well went for attempt #2 yesterday.  Went into another beauty supply store and asked for the 40% peroxide and got 1/2 dozen funny looks when I told them what I was going to do with the stuff.

Anyway, what are you guys specifically asking for when you go to the beauty stores?  They keep saying something about volumizer or something.  Also mixing 2 things together.

[boneaddict]

Obviously Polarbear has better connections than you do. That, or knows how to deal with difficult women better

[billythekidrock]

Of course he does...he's a man.

[PolarBear]

D-oh!
Ok, here is the stuff that I use.  My wife owns a hair salon so I can get the stuff pretty easily.  Michelle, you need to go into a place where they speak english to start. I can hook you up if you need any.  I find that the 40 volume in the cream stays moist longer and you get a better bleach than with regular 40 vol.  Just remember, when the stuff dries out and becomes flaky, it is done working.  It has to stay damp to do its job.

[boneaddict]

Is that this years?   NICE!   I love those dark antlers.  I only saw one with dark bones this year.  He was a dandy and didn't want to hang for a photo shoot.  That turned out awesome.

[Skyvalhunter]

If not natural possible stain and most certainly verathane on antlers