Cleaning a deer mount

[txlawdog]

Ok, kinda a off the wall question but: mom passed away last month and she promised my son my dad's deer head mount. Good deal other than it has been hangin in a house with cigarette smoke for at least 30 years. It has a brown tinge to it, I'm sure some of it is dust along with the smoke. I wiped a horn and it seemed like it was going to clean up ok I guess. I'm worried about the hide and how to gingerly clean it. Anyone ever done this and have a secret method. I think I can leave it in the garage to help some of the smell go away. Thanks in advance.

[Reaper33]

all my mounts i just use the little spray cans of air to clean but idk on the smoke thing

[Rebel_]

yeah or low regulated air compressor

[Texastaxi]

Compressed air won't take out cigarette smoke.

Try some dry shampoo. It comes in an aresol can. Spray it on, let dry, then brush out.

[whitetailslayer]

Blow off as much dust as possible with a air compressor down low or a hair dryer. Work into the direction of the grain. Use windex and start wiping down. Again, in the direction the hair lays. You can use q-tips around the eyes, inside ears and nostrils. Another good product that I like to use is Satin Sheen at Tractor Supply. $10. Use a soft bristle brush and brush in. Leaves it nice, shiny, and smells good.

[avidhunter75]

Might try a clean damp cloth to wipe some of the tar, smoke residue, etc. off of it, and then spray some Febreze, (or some scent eliminator spray) on it for the smoke smell and let sit in garage for a few days....

[dustoffer]

After you get it dusted off, blown off, and the antlers wiped down, it's probably still gonna smell like smoke. I recommend setting it out in the warm spring sunshine for a few hours, and repeat if necessary.

[JoshRA]

I'd whipe it off as good as possibly with a damp cloth then let sit in the sun for a bit and it might take it away with some fresh air then febreeze it. Thats what I would do.

[West Texican]

Good tips, all. I keep my heads on display in an outdoor kitchen/TV area, so I will put them to good use. Appreciate the heads-up.

[txlawdog]

Thanks guys. Looks like I have some good ideas to try. I will try to remember to take some before and after pics. Hope it works out ok, my son wants to put in his room before he heads to Army this summer.

[Jmh05]

If you go to the wasco/Mackenzie taxidermy site, they make a product specifically for removing smoke cigarette tarnished mounts. It's worth it. I can't think of the name though.....

[postman]

I've heard of people using a soft cloth with a dab of pain thinner, not soaked just a dab. But I would think you would have the smell for a little while. Supposidly (sp?) really makes the fur shine. There's bound to be a taxidermist on here that could tell us how the pros do it.???????

[wpcattleco]

I've been told by a taxi to put some windex on a cloth and wipe it with the hair, not against, to clean. Then put some (gold wood furniture cleaner) on a cloth to bring a shine back to the hair.