Snakeskins Question

[Autumnarcher]

I just recieved 2 Prairie Rattler skins I bought to put on one of my MOAB's. From what I have read previously, skins used to put on bows are dried and have to be soaked in water to soften them up prior to application.

The skins I have are not dried, but seem to have a somewhat oily feel to them. Not being familiar with snakeskins, is this normal, or is it an oil applied to keep the skin soft? If so, I would suppose that the oil would need to be removed prior to gluing it on the bow?

How should I do this,if necessary? I do not want to go through all the prep work and havethem not adhere properly and ruin my bow.

If some of you more experienced in snakeskins could help me out I'd appreciate it.

[Pat B]

Sounds like your skins were glycerin "tanned" with antifreeze. If that is the case you will have to remove the glycerin before glue will stick well to them. Ask whomever you got the skins from if they were treated with antifreeze or in fact just dried.
   Dried or green skins are what you want to use to back a bow.

[Autumnarcher]

Can I wash them in a mild soapy water and then dry them to make them usable, or should I get different skins?

[Pat B]

Antifreeze is alcohol with glycerin. You can probably soak them in alcohol but I have not tried that. Washing them in warm water and Dawn dish soap might also work. I have never tried either so I can't say for sure.
  Are they antifreeze tanned?

[Autumnarcher]

Not sure, I emailed the guy I got them from(****) and waiting to hear back from him. I suspect that is the case though.

[Autumnarcher]

The skins were tanned by soakingthem in Snaketan, a liquid available through Van Dyke Taxidermy supply. Should I just rinse them good on water then dry them until ready to apply, or get some different skins?

[Pat B]

I have never used snake tan so I can't comment. You could cut a small piece off the skin and do a test. I would wash in warm water with Dawn dish soap, let it dry and see if it will glue to a clean piece of wood.

[Tree man]

No matter what the process no harm should be done to them by gently washing with detergent and rinsing thoroughly. Oils are the enemy of most glues so get them thoroughly degreased.