Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: ANDYW on October 28, 2015, 02:24:39 PM

Title: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: ANDYW on October 28, 2015, 02:24:39 PM: I have inherited a Dall Sheep shoulder mount that my grandpa shot in the 1970's. Over the years being subjected to the sun through the window at his house it has become faded in every aspect of it. Wondering if whitening it and darken the horns is something that can be done? Would like to keep this family heirloom hanging on the wall from generation to generation. Any information is greatly appreciated, thanks for the time.
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: Bean Counter on October 28, 2015, 02:29:27 PM: Interesting. Tagging 8)
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: BlackRiverTaxidermy on October 28, 2015, 02:47:35 PM: ANDYW,
Dall sheep have hair that is hollow core, just like most cold weather ruminant animals such as caribou. The problem with this is that the hair, especially when its subjected to sunlight and age becomes very brittle and breaks down. The two worst things for a for are smoke and sunlight. When you touch the mount does hair come off the mount, even in small amounts? If it does the chance of having it re-whitened is probably not a good idea as it will most likely make the hair fall out even more so with the chemicals from a whitening job. The horns wouldn't be a problem to restore, but the hair, due the sunlight its been subjected too AND the age of the mount may not be an option. I use a mount cleaner product on previously mounted animals, however this only removes some dirt and smoke color, but a true whitening job on the Dall may be a real risky venture.
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: Natures Way on October 28, 2015, 04:58:49 PM: They are very delicate but wouldn't be to much of a problem at all, there are things that can be done before the whitening process. I'm not going to give a long winded explanation of how its done (sorry). We have done many, each animal is assessed on a case by case basis. Would need you to bring by the shop for a full assessment.
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: ANDYW on October 28, 2015, 07:08:25 PM: If I run my hand with the grain of the hair it does shed some small hair particles. I'll get it into some better light so I can snap some pics and post. Thanks for the input so far. Greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: Natures Way on October 29, 2015, 12:39:08 AM: It will break the hairs on any sheep like that! That is a given! :bash: sorry should have told you that the first time :bdid: when they get a little age to them they will all do it.
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: ANDYW on October 29, 2015, 09:04:14 AM: So consensus is that it can be repaired but would need to be assessed in person. Thanks
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: huntnphool on October 29, 2015, 09:08:41 AM: How about re coloring faded deer/elk hair?
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: Natures Way on October 29, 2015, 10:22:37 AM: Huntnpool you can't bring the color of a deer or elk back to what it was. some tanning processes will also do this to the hair.
Title: Re: Taxidermy Refinishing Question
Post by: huntnphool on October 29, 2015, 12:20:00 PM: Quote from: Natures Way on October 29, 2015, 10:22:37 AM
Huntnpool you can't bring the color of a deer or elk back to what it was. some tanning processes will also do this to the hair.

Thanks, some of my older mounts have bleached a bit, oh well. :tup: