Bleaching Skulls?

[Auzoutdoor]

Hi guys hows things? I saw some time ago on here a pig skull that had been bleached and thought it looked great can some one give some pointers how it is done please.I have done a search but cant find anything.
Thanks heaps.........KIM

[macbow]

Kim, to start remove all skin and flesh with a knife.
taxidermy supply houses sell special additives to put in water to help boil the meat away. You can use borax in the water. Boil till flesh is soft take out and remove as much as possible.
Back to boiling,at some point when it is very clean you have to remove the brain through what ever ports have come available.

After everything is cleaned a mixture of boras powder and peroxide the heavy duty stuff, like hair dressers use. Put the paste all over the skull and leave sit a while. Too much peroxide for too long will deteriorate the bone.
Ron

[KILLER B]

There was a post about a week ago for bleaching skulls with alot of ideas and different things to try.  Try doing a search in the PowWow or just keep going back further until you find it lots of good advise.  Good luck.

[Auzoutdoor]

Thanks Mac.I did do a search in all forums and it came up blank but I will try again.
Thanks KIM

[Bobby Urban]

Try a search on European mount or skull mount etc...  It is out there.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Here's the thread you're looking for...

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=050491;p=1

[zilla]

I take the esay route to euro-ize mine.  Skin, boil, then take it to the carwasrsh and blast it.. Stand clear when ya hit the brain cavity it'll blow chunks.Let dry for a few days and the touch it up with some off white spray paint, or leave au naturale.

[Auzoutdoor]

Thanks so much guys thats why I love this site.Thanks Jason for taking the time in finding that link it was a good read also I think the next pig I get will be done that way.
Cheers KIM

[Craig]

Easy way to do it. Take the hide off and put the skull in a trash bag. Put under a gavinized tub for 6 months so nothing can drag it away. The beetles under the ground will do the job for you. Take out and was off with peroxide. Hang for a few days for the sun to bleach it. Glue the teeth back in and your finished.

[Black Gold]

Just finished one...here is what I did.

Skinned the head out.

Sat on ant mound covered with a bucket....put a few holes in the bucket to avoid a steam bath.

Give it a couple months.

Then I submerged in my fish pond for another month...let it get covered with algae....be careful so not to loose the teeth.

Take it out and scrub it.

Bring to boil enough water to submerge it...add a cup baking soda and a cup of clorox...boil for a SHORT period of time....10 minutes...Long boiling will cause it to become brittle.

Mix together a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and cover...set in sun until dry....(couple hours)

Rinse clean

Let dry

replace all teeth and put a drop of super glue around each one...also set tusks and glue.

Let dry

Hang and spray with matte clear coat spray paint. I give it about 3 coats.

Let Dry

Glue jaw to skull (if you want it one piece)

DISPLAY


Sounds like a lot of steps, but is what I do....Turns out really nice....

I like mine a more natural bone color.....Some people spray them white....
 

[AkDan]

try,

 www.taxidermy.net

or order a kit from vandykes.

There is some skull bleaching information in a black bear book put out by the NAHC.  If you cant find what you need I can copy this info for you, give me a shout.

[lone hunter]

To bleach, mix elmers glue and water(equal parts) and brush on.