METALIZING SKULLS

[RD Martin]

I have been bugged and bugged  about doing Metal finishes on skulls. Shopping for a process. Who does what and how please?? No Camo in this thread if you don't mind 

[slammerdude]

RD i have wondered as well. George had posted a few years ago about mixing metal flake with a clear sealer? There have been a few other posts in the archives I have read also. I have also read painting skull black then using a metallic sealer/paint and then using an acid to get the patina look. I am curious on a solid technique as well. I know that business/lady in Plains offers that service on skulls as well.

[nyskullmaster]

http://www.skulltaxidermy.com/metalphotos.html
I bought my beetles from here I saw they did skull metilizing

there is a video on taxidermy tube showing how to do a copper looking skull with metalic paint and stain it looks pretty cool I did it with a skull this week
the video is by Ron Reinhart

[Mudcat72]

Here are some of the ones I've done using George's method of paint, mix powder in lacquer, brush on, sand or steel wool it off to shine. But, I also patinaed everything except the bobcat...which was my first attempt. I've learned alot and I now know I can get the cat shinier, but I sealed it when I did it a few years ago and hate to redo it. There's defintely a learning curve....and I haven't done enough of them to quite figure out every curve, but I'm getting better. The green stain on the antler is one of those learning curves. I learned to not take the protection off of the antlers until I'm completely done.  I brushed on my acid and set the head on the antlers to oxidize and acid that had been on the bronze ran onto the antler and dried. But, I've never done anything for a customer, so no big deal. I've got a few more skulls to play with.

[jbconnected]

This is a skull I did last year. It is not entirely original but I can't remember where I saw it. It is with copper paint & antiqued with stain. The customer was pleased.

[Matt_S]

You can buy kits from Hobby Lobby that work pretty well.

[RD Martin]

Thanks Guys!

[RBlack]

RD, the link the nyskullmaster posted, that guy is in Montana as well, dont know if he is close to you. He's always at one of the shows here in Salt Lake. The barracuda he has on his website is pretty hot, I've seen it in person, he does very good work and a great guy to talk too.

[Mudcat72]

Here's my latest....still working on it. I have it antquing now. Copper otter.

[The Dog]

Id say ignore the requests.  How many are you getting?  If just a few its not worth the effort.  I cleaned this sheep for a customer, then he took it and metalized it.    I know are you kidding me!  I tried to talk him out of it, but he was hell bent.  It actually turned out ok, but the amount of work to get the skull done was alot, he had to bake the patina on in the oven and put on like three coats before he could use the chemical to give the patina. 

[coop1212]

I would have metalized the sheep also after that cleaning job! just kidding. he messed that sheep all up.

[RD Martin]

That is W-R-O-N-G Dog. You just don't do anything to a Bighorn. Some Taxi's roll their eyes over even doing a Euro of a Bighorn. I have to say....it looked better before the coating.

Bighorn Sheep are still my all time favorites.

[The Dog]

shoot!! two different sheep, but you get the idea.  Ill try and find the real "before" pic.  I know its wrong RD, thats why I put in my disclaimer.  It was a great skull, then to do that!   Ugggggggghhhhh, they are my favorite also.   

[The Dog]

Thanks coop, yeah I know should have sent it to a backyard boiler to clean up.  At least the metal will stick, cause there aint a lick of grease in that baby.    Found the actual completed sheep.   I have only done half a dozen of them in my days, you would think I would have the pictures a little better orgainzed!!

Disclaimer:!!   The sheathes were not attached because the guy was going to have this one metalized.

[Mudcat72]

And after patina...



I think I liked it better without the patina.