Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: CaNINE on December 31, 2018, 07:15:36 PM


Advertise Here
Title: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on December 31, 2018, 07:15:36 PM
I have a set of shiras moose sheds I found a few years ago and finally going to get around to restoring them and building a display. There is some squirrel chew damage that I want to repair. I found a product online called “apoxy” sculpt.  Is this what I should use to repair the chewed areas?  What should I use to color match the repair?  Is there a special color stain for antlers?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: blindluck on December 31, 2018, 08:01:51 PM
Yes, apoxie sculpt is a great way to go, I would buy some acrylic raw umber and burnt umber paint. Cut it with windex to get your desired shade and I use a Q tip to paint in layers to get a perfect match. I've done many and you can not tell. A little practice but it's really easy to match perfect
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on December 31, 2018, 08:23:21 PM
Thanks blind luck - is the acrylic paint you use a special taxidermist type or just a standard item I’d pick up at a craft store?
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: blindluck on January 01, 2019, 12:39:23 AM
Thanks blind luck - is the acrylic paint you use a special taxidermist type or just a standard item I’d pick up at a craft store?
craft store
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: blindluck on January 01, 2019, 12:46:51 AM
Example
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 02, 2019, 02:35:52 PM
Wow they look great.

I'll post up some pics on my moose project as I go.  The plan is to first repair the rodent damage then mount the antlers into a cap style display. 
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 21, 2019, 08:47:16 AM
Apoxy sculpt added to damaged areas. Next step paint and seal.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: boneaddict on January 21, 2019, 09:08:29 AM
looking forward to seeing your final product
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: kellama2001 on January 21, 2019, 09:31:43 AM
Awesome shed finds! Tagging along to see how your project turns out.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: MtnMuley on January 21, 2019, 09:44:20 AM
Me too :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 21, 2019, 10:23:14 AM
Hhhmmm
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: blindluck on January 21, 2019, 08:24:36 PM
Cool, love to see these projects
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 29, 2019, 07:28:42 PM
Making some headway on antler #3. A lot of chew damage to build up.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 30, 2019, 08:13:50 AM
Added a wire rod to serve as a tine backbone
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 31, 2019, 08:08:48 AM
Some trial and error in building up the missing brow tines on antler #3. I hand formed the material then added texture and features to mimic reality within the limits of my nonexistent sculpting skills. Still some sanding and detail work to do before I paint.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: boneaddict on January 31, 2019, 08:43:51 AM
What I was immediately impressed with was how "accurate" your tines looked in regards to shape and length.   Id imagine its human nature to wantt o "stretch" the truth a bit if you know what I mean.
You did a really nice job of retaining the right look.   Well done
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: TommyH on January 31, 2019, 08:50:57 AM
 :tup: I have a set of whitetail sheds I’d like to try to fix up.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Jpmiller on January 31, 2019, 09:10:09 AM
What I was immediately impressed with was how "accurate" your tines looked in regards to shape and length.   Id imagine its human nature to wantt o "stretch" the truth a bit if you know what I mean.
You did a really nice job of retaining the right look.   Well done

I saw that too although I'm no moose expert. I'd probably have added a few drop tines and stickers if it was me and ruined the look lol. Good work!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 31, 2019, 09:49:12 AM
What I was immediately impressed with was how "accurate" your tines looked in regards to shape and length.   Id imagine its human nature to wantt o "stretch" the truth a bit if you know what I mean.
You did a really nice job of retaining the right look.   Well done

Thanks bone appreciate the comment.  Trust me there was some temptation to embellish.  My guess is the repairs replicate the original tine length +/- 0.5". 
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CoryTDF on January 31, 2019, 10:07:44 AM
This is really cool! I found my first moose shed this year in Idaho. It is in pretty bad shape so i might have to try this out. Cant really make it worse right?
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 31, 2019, 10:44:28 AM
Great the point of this thread is hopefully inspire some folks to take projects like this on and put those sheds on display :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: birddogdad on January 31, 2019, 11:03:29 AM
do you have a list of materials and paint you use for this? would be a great post up!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 31, 2019, 11:42:52 AM
do you have a list of materials and paint you use for this? would be a great post up!

Absolutely.  When I get further along and figure out the paint process I will post up a materials list and share some key considerations and learnings.  I'm still working on defining my approach and materials for mounting the "matched" set into a replica skull cap style display.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: blindluck on January 31, 2019, 08:04:01 PM
Here is a before and after using your method but I decided to add a few extra
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on January 31, 2019, 08:36:10 PM
Very cool
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 01, 2019, 08:38:46 AM
Here is antler #3 with paint applied. I ended up using a product sold through van dykes taxidermy supply called “wipe off” antler paint. I used a blend of two colors, burnt umber and red clay. You thin the paint with water or a chemical solvent and simply brush on and wipe off. I built up the color in stages to get an acceptable result.  The repaired areas required a lot of pigment to cover the clay with blending into the surrounding areas.

The trick was maintaining the natural bleached out look of the palm. A professional would do a more natural job but for a learn as you go diy effort I’m pretty happy with it.

Will probably noodle with it a little more before I apply a coat of matte clear sealer.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: TommyH on February 01, 2019, 08:48:47 AM
Looks good!   :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: 7mmfan on February 01, 2019, 09:04:07 AM
Looks great. Can you tell if that hole is from another antler when he was fighting or a bullet hole? Looks suspicious...
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: TommyH on February 01, 2019, 09:23:11 AM
Have seen lots with little holes. In deer/moose/elk. Could be from a stick or..? While soft honed growing..?
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: MtnMuley on February 01, 2019, 05:21:40 PM
Great job. :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Twispriver on February 01, 2019, 08:27:22 PM
I think you did a great job and this is a really cool thread - thanks for taking us along  :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 04, 2019, 06:16:31 AM
Here are antlers #1 and #2 after paint. Although I found these on the same ridge I don’t think they came from the same moose.  Maybe the did?  :dunno:

 The question is are they “close enough” to mount together in a replication euro mount?

The right antler is actually a little closer to the left in real life. In the pic it’s slightly canting to the right which makes it look smaller.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: lewy on February 04, 2019, 06:43:45 AM
Nice work! That looks like a set to me
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Jpmiller on February 04, 2019, 06:51:51 AM
If you hadn't planned the seed in my mind I would have thought they were a matched set. I'm not an expert or anything but looks good to me.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2019, 08:01:53 AM
Post a pic of the white side of the peds.  Looks like the same moose to me. Turned out great.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: benhuntin on February 04, 2019, 08:28:19 AM
Most Moose don’t match. There is always a weak antler.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: boneaddict on February 04, 2019, 09:04:18 AM
Id guess same moose, if not, close enough.   :yeah:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: boneaddict on February 04, 2019, 09:04:49 AM
That being said. They turned out fantastic.  Nice job!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 04, 2019, 09:07:41 AM
Post a pic of the white side of the peds.  Looks like the same moose to me. Turned out great.

Here are the bases for reference.  First pic is antler #1 (left side of set).  I had to make a lot of repairs to the base.  Second pic is antler #2 (Right side). Third pic is the smallest of the three overall.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2019, 09:09:22 AM
Thanks.  I'd definitely say the same moose. :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 04, 2019, 09:20:47 AM
Thanks.  I'd definitely say the same moose. :tup:

What’s crazy is I found those two sheds in different years! on the same ridge though.  I’ve seen the original owner prowling the area in the fall but didn’t see him last year. I’ve seen wolf tracks in the area so hopefully he’s still around.

Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 04, 2019, 11:05:58 AM
Thanks for the comments everyone.  This has been a fun and rewarding project so far.  The next phase is to mount these in a replica euro style.  I ordered up a reproduction moose skull from a taxidermy supply company.  May be 2 or 3 weeks before I get to that phase of project.  Stay tuned.   :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Dan-o on February 04, 2019, 11:15:10 AM
You did a great job on the repair.    They look like they fell off yesterday..
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2019, 11:31:29 AM
Thanks.  I'd definitely say the same moose. :tup:

What’s crazy is I found those two sheds in different years! on the same ridge though.  I’ve seen the original owner prowling the area in the fall but didn’t see him last year. I’ve seen wolf tracks in the area so hopefully he’s still around.

I was going to ask if the reason you were questioning, was because you picked them up in different years.  Certainly could be a left from one year and the right from the previous year or vice versa.  One bull in particular I've watched for many years never changed much.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 04, 2019, 12:02:44 PM
You did a great job on the repair.    They look like they fell off yesterday..

Thanks Dan...you'll get to see them soon when you come over for a bear mount homecoming party.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CoryTDF on February 04, 2019, 12:19:00 PM
Looks dang good to me! I just bought some of the Burnt and Raw Umber paint to try and fix some sheds.

So, I guess I'll ask if you just cut it with Windex and then put it one heavy and wipe it off? I know you used an different method but another member on here mentioned this way too. 
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 04, 2019, 12:34:18 PM
Looks dang good to me! I just bought some of the Burnt and Raw Umber paint to try and fix some sheds.

So, I guess I'll ask if you just cut it with Windex and then put it one heavy and wipe it off? I know you used an different method but another member on here mentioned this way too.

blindluck used acryllic paints thinned with windex.  Not sure if he applied the paint heavy and wiped off.  @blindluck

I was planning to go the acrylic paint route but couldnt find them at the local craft store or maybe I just got too impatient of looking...I hate hanging out in craft stores.  So I ended up ordering the taxidermy paint.  Those paints you can put on heavy and leave or wipe off.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: boneaddict on February 04, 2019, 12:52:08 PM
I used the mud method.  Paint the min wax gel on then coat in mud.  Its been awhile. I really liked how natural it turned out.  I very much like how this turned out. Im sure the taxidermy stuff is being refined.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CoryTDF on February 05, 2019, 11:05:04 AM
Tried my hand as fixing some sheds last night. This was done with the acrylic paint method. No real direction on it so i just gave it my best shot.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on February 05, 2019, 11:13:06 AM
Look pretty sweet!  You can hit it with some krylon matte finish to seal if you want. Krylon #1311 is the product I used.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Bonehuntn on February 05, 2019, 05:20:57 PM
Looks great. I’d guess it was a match from my experiences finding them :dunno:. Where did you order that taxi paint from?
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on March 03, 2019, 09:34:15 AM
Ok finally moving this project to the next phase. I ground the antler bases down to create a flat surface.  Drilled out channel and used marine epoxy to mount bar stock into the bases.

The reproduction moose skull from Mackenzie taxidermy is pretty realistic. I plan to add some light color with black coffee to make some of the features pop.

Next step is to epoxy the antlers into the skull and finish out the pedicals with apoxy sculpt.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Birdgetter on March 03, 2019, 11:52:00 AM
Awesome! The antlers turned out great, I can't wait to see the finished project.
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on March 10, 2019, 01:31:30 PM
Finished product!  All rodent damage repaired, antlers stained and mounted up to reproduction skull.  A very enjoyable project and looking forward to admiring this on the wall for years to come. Now get out there and find some sheds!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: 87Ford on March 10, 2019, 03:07:36 PM
Very nice, well done..
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Dan-o on March 10, 2019, 03:13:27 PM
Looks great!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Watimberghost on March 10, 2019, 04:04:25 PM
That looks really good :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: TRD1911 on March 10, 2019, 04:21:42 PM
I cant even tell that those were ever modified. Great work
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: CaNINE on March 10, 2019, 06:30:15 PM
It took a little acrobatics and a 12’ step ladder but got er’ done.  :tup:
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: lewy on March 10, 2019, 06:31:26 PM
Nice work!
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Jpmiller on March 10, 2019, 08:52:11 PM
If you posted those finished photos and had a blurb about getting your moose skull back from the taxi I would have believed it. Great work
Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: grundy53 on March 10, 2019, 11:11:46 PM
Looks great!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Repairing moose sheds
Post by: Rob on March 20, 2019, 09:55:05 AM
Fantastic job!
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal