Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: nachesboy72 on October 06, 2013, 10:38:29 AM

Title: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: nachesboy72 on October 06, 2013, 10:38:29 AM: last year was my first buck! i finally learned to just be patient and not get myself done if i dont get a buck the first day! anyway this was my first time boiling a head, i finally got motivated and decided to go grab my head and just get it over with! im excited to finally be able to get it into the house soon :) and not smell like all hell! anyway let me know what you guys think. as far as i know the only thing left to do is get the last bits of crap off the skull and then rub it down with bleach and get it white :)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: jrebel on October 06, 2013, 12:10:21 PM: did you boil it with the hair on?? Never seen that before, how did it work?
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: fly4fish on October 06, 2013, 12:13:34 PM: That is nasty if that thing still had hair on it after a year. I did my sisters once after a month and it was gross. I comes out a lot better if you put it in the pot right away.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: jrebel on October 06, 2013, 12:16:39 PM: I rarely have time to do mine right away...so I place mine in the freezer (head horns hair). When I am ready and have time I will take it out and let it sit for a day. I skin the head and then boil. I have never seen it boiled with hair on? Doesn't mean it is wrong....I just have never seen it that way.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: HornHoarder on October 06, 2013, 12:32:03 PM: I cleaned one up for a friend once with the hair still on it. He had let it sit for about a year, before I got it. There was no way I was getting the hair off without boiling it. I was suprised how well it came off after a little boiling. It was extra stinky, but did get a nice euro mount.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 06, 2013, 01:15:12 PM: That skull looks like hell. Its not even close to the whitening process.

And you don't use bleach to whiten a skull.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: nachesboy72 on October 06, 2013, 01:29:23 PM: the hair was almost falling off after about an hour off boiling, the rest i just scraped off fairly easy. it did stink a little but honestly it was not un barable. and like i said this is my first one and first time doing it on my own. i have helped but never done the full process on my own.. so yes it may not turn out perfect but it doesnt hurt to learn does it? :dunno: and every skull in our house as been bleached to be whitened and they have turned out just fine. maybe not as well as paying money for them but this is no trophy why not try? im proud of it for my first time :)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: boneaddict on October 06, 2013, 01:33:51 PM: I bleached tons of skulls nachesboy. NO its not the best method, but it works fine to x amount of standards. Some might find them closer to natural than a pure white skull. Just like the sinus bones. There was a time when I cleaned them out with a coat hanger. MANY natural skulls do not have them anymore. Its what you want out of it. I havent learned everything yet and am still enjoying the process. Enjoy your trophy. There are several threads on here that might help or might have examples of many different opinions and results.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: nachesboy72 on October 06, 2013, 04:01:03 PM: before the bleach and after the bleach. i think it turned out 10x better then what is was in my pictures from be boiling it this morning. i let it sit in bleach, and scrubbed it down a little in about an hour or so all together i think it looks great. the people that were actually curious about how it would turn out and not rude about it how do you think it turned out? its fine for you to tell me you wouldnt do it this way or not a fan of how it turned out just dont be rude about it please. cause me personally am very happy with it :)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: boneaddict on October 06, 2013, 04:27:40 PM: Quote
cause me personally am very happy with it :)
That's whats most important. :tup:
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: JLS on October 06, 2013, 04:34:38 PM: Congratulations on your first buck. Did you use borax for the boiling? If not, it will help degrease the skull when you simmer it. Also, hairdresser's peroxide will be easier for you to bleach it out with. You can make a paper mache type wrap with paper towels and the peroxide gel. Let it sit, then rinse well.

Nice job, be proud of your trophy. :tup:
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: JJB11B on October 06, 2013, 04:39:53 PM: Looks Great! last time I tried doing that I set it on the side burner on the BBQ to dry and the dog ran off with it and chewed the skull down to the skull plate. Could have saved a lot of time if she would have done that right off the bat.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: blindluck on October 06, 2013, 07:27:42 PM: I do skulls as well, my process is to skin the head remove the lower jaw and eyes, I then simmer to low boil with dish soap, change water once half way thru. once i am satisfied and all the meat is removed i mix 40 volume developer and basic white bleach powder bought at a beauty supply store. Mix to a paste consistancy brush it on thick wait a day rinse off. they turn out bright white just like the professional beetle cleaning. I would show pics of my skulls but i cant figure out how to post pictures. I also learned the fresher the skull the better they turn out, the longer they are in the freezer they tend to stain deeper into the bone. Happy skull cleaning.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: troyspinetar on October 06, 2013, 07:37:56 PM: Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on October 06, 2013, 01:15:12 PM
That skull looks like hell. Its not even close to the whitening process.

And you don't use bleach to whiten a skull.
Wow!....Really? :bdid:
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 06, 2013, 08:25:13 PM: I guess that did come across as being rude. Sorry I was 1/2 asleep when I made that post.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: fly4fish on October 06, 2013, 08:52:54 PM: Turned out pretty well considering what you started with. The upper jaw fell off like mine typically do. I usually fish them out and glue them back on when everything is finished; looks a lot better with them on there I think.

Definitely worth the work!
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on October 06, 2013, 08:59:30 PM: There is a couple ways to do it but I think if you want one done the way it would look the best would be using beetles ...boiling and all that stuff has no room for error especially if you want it to look good as it could possibly can be ....But other than that you done O.k for trying to do it yourself ...congrats on the buck :tup:
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: PolarBear on October 07, 2013, 12:20:53 AM: Quote from: blindluck on October 06, 2013, 07:27:42 PM
I do skulls as well, my process is to skin the head remove the lower jaw and eyes, I then simmer to low boil with dish soap, change water once half way thru. once i am satisfied and all the meat is removed i mix 40 volume developer and basic white bleach powder bought at a beauty supply store. Mix to a paste consistancy brush it on thick wait a day rinse off. they turn out bright white just like the professional beetle cleaning. I would show pics of my skulls but i cant figure out how to post pictures. I also learned the fresher the skull the better they turn out, the longer they are in the freezer they tend to stain deeper into the bone. Happy skull cleaning.
I macerate but use 50 volume peroxide and Basic White 2. They come out mighty white.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2FDSCN1577.jpg&hash=878f049a433b9df5d0ee925cc7a5d678be59f020)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: PolarBear on October 07, 2013, 12:26:18 AM: Just for reference, this is the difference between boiling and bleaching and maceration and peroxide.
Boiling and bleaching:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2Fwhitie.jpg&hash=372b3a2300854bab96059f498de1ca1335ab8fbf)

Maceration and 40-50 volume peroxide and Basic White 2:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2FDSCN1071.jpg&hash=c9659730e8b8abf943478d6274e88db26ce43469)

Maceration and peroxide.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2FDSCN0118.jpg&hash=762d71089ba02f6f2fb7a045e1deec1ff9a71d92)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 07, 2013, 01:34:21 AM: Quote from: PolarBear on October 07, 2013, 12:26:18 AM
Boiling and bleaching:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2Fwhitie.jpg&hash=372b3a2300854bab96059f498de1ca1335ab8fbf)

The yellow in the forehead is grease that has seeped into the bone due to the heat from the boiling. If left there it will turn a deeper yellow and the longer it sets the harder it is to get the color out and get it white. Not to mention the grease is much harder to get out.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: blindluck on October 07, 2013, 11:02:28 AM: Where do you get 50 volume peroxide and is it expensive?
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Knocker of rocks on October 07, 2013, 11:13:47 AM: Quote from: blindluck on October 07, 2013, 11:02:28 AM
Where do you get 50 volume peroxide and is it expensive?

See cautions
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,135974.msg1785001/boardseen.html#new (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,135974.msg1785001/boardseen.html#new)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: dscubame on October 07, 2013, 11:36:41 AM: I prefer the natural bone color over the unnatural "bleached" white look. Good job.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: chinookie23 on October 07, 2013, 12:08:44 PM: polarbear your showing off your trophies now ;)i hope you know i am totally joking :tup: anyway awesome comparison of the different ways the mounts turn out. BTW awesome tropies you habe there too..
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 07, 2013, 02:42:33 PM: Quote from: dscubame on October 07, 2013, 11:36:41 AM
I prefer the natural bone color over the unnatural "bleached" white look. Good job.

If you want a more natural bone color then after you whiten the skull let it soak in several changer of warmwater for several hours. This dilutes the peroxide.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 07, 2013, 02:43:52 PM: Quote from: blindluck on October 07, 2013, 11:02:28 AM
Where do you get 50 volume peroxide and is it expensive?

50 Volume Hair Developer is 15% peroxide.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: blindluck on October 07, 2013, 05:58:41 PM: Thank you for the tip, I have always done the simmer then peroxide method and my skulls are nice and white but I want to perfect it and maceration sounds like the way to go. Thank you

If anyone can share with me how to post a picture I would be truly thankful. I'm going nuts trying to figure it out!!
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Tall Timber on October 11, 2013, 01:05:26 PM: I boil my skulls the day I get home. after 6 to 8 hours I use a pressure washer to finish the job. :tup: Then I mix some bleach and water and let the skull sit overnight. It works great.http://hunting-washington.com/smf/Smileys/default/thumbsup.gif (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/Smileys/default/thumbsup.gif)
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: blindluck on October 24, 2013, 09:21:10 AM: Does anyone know if 50 vol developer and basic white works as well as high strength peroxide like 30 or 40 percent.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: YoterHunter on October 24, 2013, 02:21:22 PM: just watch how much bleach you use . it makes the skull real brittle :twocents:
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: huntnphool on October 24, 2013, 02:55:52 PM: You might consider getting it dipped, they turn out pretty cool.
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Rainier10 on October 24, 2013, 03:41:28 PM: Looking at the OP first picture the nose is gone, did that fall off during the boiling or is this a dead head from Idaho?
Title: Re: last years buck boiled and almost done! what do you think so far?
Post by: Duckhunter14 on October 24, 2013, 04:48:39 PM: :yeah:
Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on October 06, 2013, 01:15:12 PM
That skull looks like hell. Its not even close to the whitening process.

And you don't use bleach to whiten a skull.
[/quote

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/Smileys/default/yeahthat.gif (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/Smileys/default/yeahthat.gif)]

Message me and I can give you some pointers. With a little guidance you can make it look 100 times better than that and keep the integrity of the nasal bones which look like you broke/boiled off. Take a look at Michelle Nelsons thread on doing a European mount. It's very informative.