Repairing a cobra

[aboutpostal]

I am about to do my first reptile, a repair on a cobra/mongoose mount. The snake is broken in half, how do i get the scale texture and pattern on the repair site? Any ideas are welcomed, good or bad.

[Redwolf]

I would take a mold of the scales on either side of the break (Just in case you need it for scale patterns) and use apoxie sculpt on the seam. Push the mold into the apoxie sculpt (to get the scale pattern back)and paint to match.
Also, you should use a wire for support when putting the 2 pieces back together.

[Redwolf]

BTW The mold can be made from either latex or  alginate. I've used alginate and it works great for a one time deal.

[aboutpostal]

thanx for the ideas, i was kinda leaning that way from some info i read on doing fish that way, i wasnt sure if it would work on snakes

[psycho]

Alginate won't work worth a crap for a press mold, not good enough in my eyes any how.  Alginate is a one time use type of mold but it isn't very good for a press mold.  Silicone is your best bet.  It doesn't take as long to set up as laytex and you can get it done right away.  Of course I'm talking about using good silicon not the crap that comes out of a tube at wal mart.  LOL  Laytex takes forever to set up.  I would not reccomend hot glue for a press mold on a snake but hot glue works awesome for press molds on things such as horn repairs.