Antler/pedicle stain and skull whitening

[Don Becker]

I have a couple of questions I could use some help with. I know antler/pedicle stain was discussed here awile back . . . I just couldn't locate what I was looking for in the archives.

1) While soaking my deer skull, I got part of the pedicle, accidently. What's good to use to stain that. I did find a commercial product on line but thought there might be something more readily available or ? ? ? ? ?

2) How do you avoid 1) above. I know we suspend the skull in a bucket of solution (easier said than done) but, the top of the skull is rounded, the surface of the water is flat and by the time you get enough solution to cover the skull, you've likely gotten the pedicle some too. Or, you've left an untreated spot on top of the skull. I know you folks have a very simple solution to this ..............

Thanks!

Don

[KROY]

Wrap them in plastic first then use duct tape. If a little bit of solution gets on them it won't soak through. Second, tape a stick across the antlers that will let the skull just rest below the surface.

[Mello-Yello]

Another way is to take a cotton rag soaked in solution and lay it on the crown and around the antler bases. It'll wick up the solution pretty well. I'd recommend wetting it down from time to time too to keep the solution on the rag fresh.

I've used regular wood stains. You might have to experiment a bit to find the right color-match. When I boiled my Roosey years ago, it heated the pitch around the bases and when the pitch fell out, blonde antler was left behind. I ended up wirebrushing all the pitch out to try and make it look uniform again by the time I was done it looked horrible because the upper part of the antler was a real nice dark "Roosey" color, and the lower part was near blonde. I used Black Walnut wood stain and wiped the lighter areas down several times. After I got the shade I wanted, I took a light sandpaper and softly wiped it down. This lightened up all the little 'nubs' to give it back it's 'natural' look.

My taxidermist uses a standard laundry detergent solution for final cooking and the skull comes out looking really nice and clean.

Good Luck!

M-Y

[Snakebite]

Be careful! boiling the skull too hot or long can result in disaster. Ask Chum King! I've successfully treated bleached pedicles with shoe polish!

[Don Becker]

Thanks for the great feedback. I did, also, locate some of those old posts. Don

[Acuta]

I don't know about the cleaning part,but, antlers that need a touch-up get BOILED linseed oil.




Eric

[Spooney]

Posts like this is where you find rare intelligence.

[Mello-Yello]

So Spooney, you're indicating there could possibly be signs of intelligent life here?

Ditto on the linseed oil. I've been wiping my antlers down w/linseed oil forever. Wipe it on, wipe it off. It keeps the antler from drying and cracking and gives it a very natural look.

M-Y

[Don Becker]

Okay, one more question . . . on the parts of the pedicle that got "bleached," 'gotta stain/darken it before the boiled linseed oil treatment, right? 'Can't imagine boiled linseed oil is going to do much darkening but, I've never used it . . . Thanks again and Happy Turkey Day to all! Don

[Mello-Yello]

DB, I only use the linseed oil as a maintenance thing. Once a year or so I'll wet a rag w/it and wipe the antlers down real good, then wipe off any residual. It's not for 'coloring' the antlers, it just keeps them 'fresh' looking.

M-Y