skull bleaching

[keatonskidmore]

what is the best bleach/water ratio to use and how long to let soak? Im doing my own european mount this year on my buck and a coyote skull

[stxhunter]

I've never personally used bleach, heard it will make the bone very brittle. I have used baking soda, borax, and even dawn dish soap in the past with good results. One of the guys on my lease recommended a product called Sal Soda, the chemical is supposed to make the flesh a jelly like consistency and whiten the bone at the same time. After doing a little research it looks like many taxidermists use this product. It can be hard to find, but if you look for carbonate of soda in other products like soda ash it's a little more available.

[keatonskidmore]

I've never personally used bleach, heard it will make the bone very brittle. I have used baking soda, borax, and even dawn dish soap in the past with good results. One of the guys on my lease recommended a product called Sal Soda, the chemical is supposed to make the flesh a jelly like consistency and whiten the bone at the same time. After doing a little research it looks like many taxidermists use this product. It can be hard to find, but if you look for carbonate of soda in other products like soda ash it's a little more available.

thanks! i'll give it a try

[Jaybo31]

Dont use bleach! Will make it brittle and powdery. For whitening get some 40 volume clear I think developer from Sallys. Just ask for that and they will know what you're talking about. And suprisingly most of them know what for too

[keatonskidmore]

Dont use bleach! Will make it brittle and powdery. For whitening get some 40 volume clear I think developer from Sallys. Just ask for that and they will know what you're talking about. And suprisingly most of them know what for too

do i mix it with anything? and how long do i let it soak?

[Smart]

Definitely no on the bleach....use 40 volume clear or creme developer (peroxide) from Sally's . I like the cream because you can brush it on, wrap in saran wrap and come back 5-6 hours later and its done.

[yanta61]

peroxide is what you want to use. the stuff you get in the brown bottle is only 3%. it will work but will take a while. i use Baquacil Oxidizer which is a pool chemical that is 27% peroxide. this will burn your skin so wear gloves. it will aslo whitten the antlers so make sure not to get any on the bases if your doing a deer.

[Jaybo31]

Definitely no on the bleach....use 40 volume clear or creme developer (peroxide) from Sally's . I like the cream because you can brush it on, wrap in saran wrap and come back 5-6 hours later and its done.

Yup thats the stuff! Just brush it on like Smart said, simple and not to messy. Dont get any on the antlers though.

[keatonskidmore]

Yup thats the stuff! Just brush it on like Smart said, simple and not to messy. Dont get any on the antlers though.

OK thanks guys! Its not quite ready for whitening but once it is I'll show y'all!

[hound dog]

good read, glad I saw this cause i have 2 nilgai skulls to do. Is this all done after i flesh as much with a knife and then boil the head?

[txoutdoorsman24]

answer

good read, glad I saw this cause i have 2 nilgai skulls to do. Is this all done after i flesh as much with a knife and then boil the head?

Yes, clean it as good as possible.

Keaton- one other thing u can do after u apply the bleach. get u a cheap mirror and a drop down light. take the skull n set it on top of the mirror under the light for a whole night or day. that will make that skull paper white. it cooks the bleach in the bone and the mirror helps to reflect the light t the other side of the skull. thats what i was taught by a taxidermist friend. he does it to all the skulls he has and they always are brilliant white. works everytime... cant wait to see it!

[Jaybo31]

good read, glad I saw this cause i have 2 nilgai skulls to do. Is this all done after i flesh as much with a knife and then boil the head?

Yep. Dont really boil it though, just simmer. If its a hard boil it will cook the bone and start splitting. Simmer, scrape and pressure wash, or hose with good sprayer. Repeat til clean

[keatonskidmore]

Yep. Dont really boil it though, just simmer. If its a hard boil it will cook the bone and start splitting. Simmer, scrape and pressure wash, or hose with good sprayer. Repeat til clean

Yep. Dont really boil it though, just simmer. If its a hard boil it will cook the bone and start splitting. Simmer, scrape and pressure wash, or hose with good sprayer. Repeat til clean

I just hang mine In my barn by wire and let it dry out Really well for about 6-8 weeks than drop it in a bucket of water and let it sit In it for About 4-6 weeks than shake it good and it all falls off. Than rinse with a hose hang it again to dry out. Than apply volume 40 cream(just got a gallon of it ) than from what I was told from texasoutdoorsman put on a mirror With a light. Hopefully my skulls are done soon!

[txoutdoorsman24]

i have boiled a head that arrived on saturday morning, picked it clean that evening, bleached it that night and had it mounted on a pedastal on monday. we always use the way i mentioned. usually takes 2-4 days depending on how busy and how many we have to do...

[keatonskidmore]

After soaking and and rinsing..