Skull whitening and degreaseing--need help--

[HunTnTodd]

I am new to this forum and had a few questions about whitening and degreaseing skulls

To start, i have a colonie of beeteles to do my cleaning .  I have acsess to styling salon hair products so my question is what brand 40% peroxide (if it matters) do you use and what is the process you go through on applying . How much do you put on , how long do you leave it on or any other tips you can think of.

Also what are the best ways to go about degreasing different skulls .  Is it better to use paint thinner, white gas, soak in dawn dish soap or something else that works better.

Just looking for some good suggestions, all will be apreciated

Thanks alot,
AKpredator 

[Wolfwoman]

Where in Alaska are you?

I cleaned skulls in the past, recently don't have the time or room to continue. I have used Dawn with great success, even on bear and baboon skulls. Check my website for some pics of skulls I've done. Also, I use 3% peroxide and nary a problem there either. If you'd like I can drum up an old email I used to send to people on my cleaning methods.

Wolfie

[Leslie]

I used beetles to clean a skull last week. Then I simmered it for a half hour in sal soda and some dawn. I did it to kill any left over beetles, but it did a good job degreasing. I used peroxide to bleach it and then hung it outside for a couple of days. It turned out well.

[Aaron H]

I rot skulls in garbage bags protected from the skull eating critters, followed by soak in water, spray off with water, soak in heavy Dawn detergent water (a week or so), peroxide (I use the grocery store grade,takes 3 days), rinse, let dry. Works for me. Enjoy, Aaron H.

[Cory W]

The brand of peroxide will not matter.  The 30-40 % stuff will work much faster than the more common 3% in your local stores.  But be carefull with the more potent stuff.  You will not want to leave the skull in 40 % for more than 24 hours.  Where as I have left skulls in 3% for about a week with no ill affects.  Also be sure to wear gloves and goggles with the 40% peroxide.  It can be dangerous stuff if you were to get some in your eyes.

[Bill Richards]

Here's what I do., After getting the skulls clean, I soak them overnight in water with Dawn and Epogrip Bloodout and grease remover. I then rinse the skulls in hot water. While the skull are still wet, I take 40% peroxide and Basic White (available at beauty supply commpanies or some of the suppliers, like Matuska) and make a paste, the consistency of toothpaste. I brush it on the skull with a toothbrush. If you do this, wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Let the the skull air dry until the paste is dry, then rinse off in cold water. When the skull dries from the rinse, you will have a perfectly white skull. If you have any areas that aren't white, just re-brush those areas with the paste.
Bill

[rgswildlife]

European skull mounts

In my shop I use 35% peroxide. First take off most of the meat and brains, cover the skull not the horns with the peroxide, use rags around the base of the horns so the peroxide can leech up to the underside of the burr. After a week or two (depends on how well you cleaned it) rinse it in dawn dish detergent and water till it comes out clean, place it in the sun to dry. If it is the way you want it, then cover it with modge-podge high gloss and it will be sealed and stay clean forever. If you used bleach the modge-podge will seal the skull and stop the flaking that can go on forever. You can put the skull back into the peroxide as many times as you like, but if you notice the skull is falling apart take it out, you have left it in too long. You will have to glue the teeth into the skull. Never use bleach because it will continue to breakdown the bone forever.


Rich   

[HunTnTodd]

Thanks for all the different tips .. I have a few skulls Im going to try a couple different ways and see what seems to work best.  If anyone else has any other tips please feel free to add.

Thanks , Todd

[crankin]

deer i soak in dawn for 1 week, greasier skulls like bear i soak for 2 to 3 weeks, then 2 or 3 days in 3%