How old of a tan will mount up ?

[idbatman]

Ok you tanning pros , here is the question. I just had a customer bring in a WT cape and a lifesize bear . As best I can tell ( by the invoice in the box ) the WT cape was tanned in 02 and the bear in 98. Both are dry tan of course . I have never attempted using a tan this old. What at the chances of these make a mount? Any special tricks to help make them work? thanks Jay Parke

[Bruce Rittel]

The best test is to make a stitch along the edge and pull on it. Reasonably! If it tears like paper - it's going to do the same thing when you try to mount it after relaxing. That way you dont have to put a lot of time into it. Fur coats if you examine them after 10-14 years - the shoulders usually have the stitching pulled out because of the arm movement. Their usefullness is over.

[RDA]

a test soak of an area would also be advisable-  maybe at least the face.  Ive mounted tans twenty years old before with out a problem,  and Ive also had five year old tans  fall apart...  Roll the dice