Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin

[RAU]

I’m finishing a 64 inch Osage bow right now that I backed with a big timber rattlesnake skin that my son caught last year here in pa. Alive the snake measures a touch under 50 inches. Tacked out stretched and dried it was over 60 inches. I was able to back the whole bow with this 1 snake by cutting The skin in 1/2 and cheating the 1/2s down the handle a bit.I glued skin on with tight bond 2 Anyway  this big snake has a coarse Scale pattern and I’m wondering if any of You know a way I can fill that in with something in a few coats maybe sanding between to smooth it out? I think I remember someone using superglue In several thin coats or something and sanding between coats before final finishing. Any ideas?

[bucknut]

Most remove the scales. Usually before but they can be pulled afterwards also.  This should give you a pretty smooth surface.  Just a bit of masking tape and they will pop right off.  Several coats of Tru oil will make her look beautiful.

[Mad Max]

Most remove the scales. Usually before but they can be pulled afterwards also.  This should give you a pretty smooth surface.  Just a bit of masking tape and they will pop right off.  Several coats of Tru oil will make her look beautiful.

The clear part of the scales

[RAU]

Sorry I should have been more clear in original post. I already have the scales off. The holes where scales were and the “flaps” are more pronounced on this skin than others I’ve dealt with. I was just wondering if anyone knew of something I could apply in coats to smooth it out. I thought I read someone doing this with real thin superglue and sanding between coats. I was just shooting it in yard this am and wondering If maybe I’m worried for nothing and should just seal it up.

[Mad Max]

I used many coats of Shellac to keep from lifting a scale.
Don't sand or just use 0000 steel wool lightly at first

[RAU]

Here it is

[Bob T.]

It looks to me like you do not have all the scales off and that is what you are feeling. What did you use to remove the scales?

[RAU]

No the scales are definitely off. I used just my finger nail for the bulk of them. In spots they stayed behind the popped off easily with super fine steel wool. I agree with you it looks like the scales are there but they’re gone. 

[bucknut]

I have a Timber Rattler skin like that too.  I think mine had recently shed or something..  Definitely different than all my others.  Bob Morrison probably has more skin experience than anyone on here.  You might PM him?

[Eric Krewson]

I have put a lot of timber rattlers on bows, they all have a rough skin finish because the scales are so big and leave a hole when they come off. The bigger the snake the rougher the skin.

[Tim Finley]

I just did some large Texas rattlers with a rough skin and I just sanded them with 220 grit then finished with thunderbird . They came out nice and smooth .

[red hill]

I have spread a thin layer of CA (super glue) over timber rattler and cane brake rattle snake skins. Seems to have worked well.