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Joined: Apr 2005
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 439 |
I've heard and/read that the best oils for treating trophy headgear(or elephant ivory) is as follows:
Antlers - Linseed Oil Ivory - Mineral Oil Horns - Clear shoe polish.
Supposedly this will prevent cracking and flaking.
What do you guys use?
Thanks.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52,680
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52,680 |
Scotts Liquid Gold is what my taxidermist suggested. No ivory here though.
Liberalism is a mental disorder that leads to social disease.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 760
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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You might try Renaissance Wax. It is supposedly used by museums on just about anything. The label does list Ivory specifically. Gene Ingram recommends it also.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
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Linseed oil will oxidize and exhibit a build up over time. Regardless of selection, do not get too heavy handed. Antlers have the same composition as ivory, so I'd be inclined to go with the museum suggestions. They are some of the few that may retain things for geologic time. 1Minute
1Minute
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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On horns & antler's I use Van Dyke's wax #01352404. Works well with toothbrush on horns that are rough & a cloth on antlers. My taxidermist uses Derma Grip #304, also from Van Dyke's, to touch up noses & hoofs. I have my taxidermist in once a year to do touch ups & check for diseases in my mounts. Van Dyke's is owned by Cabelas.
Life Members SCI & NRA. NRA Instructor & RSO. What have YOU done to support hunting & gun rights?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
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I have some antlers from the 1950's and they look the same. I have heard we should keep direct sunlight off of them, but do we really need to do anything else to antlers that are kept indoors?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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My cousin has the mounted head of an elk that was killed on our place in 1875. The head and cape were replaced but the horns are perfect. I asked him what he used to keep them looking so good. He said his wife has used Lemon Pledge on them a few times. I wouldn't recommend it but...
Johnny $
“My horn is full and my pouch is stocked with ball and patch. There is a new, sharp flint in my lock and my rifle and I are ready. It is sighted true and my eyes can still aim.” Kaywoodie
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Not to highjack the thread but what do you guys suggest to give back the natural colours to antlers that were left outside and bleached by the sun? I got a moose rack that I left outside so the bugs could clean the skull but I kinda forgot about it for a while!
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2001
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Not to highjack the thread but what do you guys suggest to give back the natural colours to antlers that were left outside and bleached by the sun? I got a moose rack that I left outside so the bugs could clean the skull but I kinda forgot about it for a while! A taxidermist friend brews up some strong coffee and uses that! I've seen it work too -- I watched as he rejuvenated some really white/light gray moose antlers by swabbing on this coffee concentrate. He says he prefers this to wood stain because if it stains too dark, he can lighten it somewhat by rubbing with wet rags. John
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 439
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 439 |
Thanks everyone.
I've learned a lot.
I never thought of having a taxidermist come in once a year, to check for bugs and such. Make sense when you think of how many thousands of dollars you've invested in these trophies.
I live just a mile or so from Jonas Bros (the one in Colorado) and I get most of my mounts done there. I also know they do a lot of work for Cabela's, so I think I'll stop by there and see if they have any Van Dykes or products they recommend.
Good hunting, all.
buffhunter
Last edited by buffhunter; 06/28/08.
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Campfire Tracker
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I believe that bugs prefer the tight, dark, places, one of which is the rear of the mount against the wall. I arrange to have a surface below, against the wall- a bookcase or a shelf, or even a small strip of wood with no other purpose, so that I can easily see fallen frass and take quick action. Sign or no, when I go off on a hunting trip I leave behind my wife and instructions to bug-bomb the room that contains my mounts. (I keep my antlers brown by being a smoker. Everything else turns a yellowish-brown, too, but I suppose that's a small price to pay. )
Campfire Pistolero x2
Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else. -Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5
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