WD-40 on horns

[!]

I had my first mount done, a scimitar horned oryx. It looks great, but the taxidermist has soaked the horns with WD-40. How do I get rid of the stuff? It really stinks.

[ed150]

will the horns slip off the core?

[!]

No they seem pretty solid.

[Jeff Z]

Ive been applying WD-40 to horns now for about 5 years & never had one complaint.  He must have really saturated them.  I lightly coat them a few days prior to mounting the animal.  By that time the light coating has been absorbed into the horn & brings out the natural colors.  After the mount is dry & completed their is hardly any residual odor.  You might try wiping them down w/some acetone, letting them dry & spraying with a matte finish spray paint.

[Matt]

I would not use WD-40 on any part of a mount, even the horns or antlers. It is a petroleum-based product and you will have a residue that will collect dust and dirt. If you want to bring back some color to a set of horns or antlers, use a 50/50 mix of linseed oil and turpentine. This will dry with no residue, and bring back the natural colors without any ill effects. That's just me though.

[bulldog4949]

rub some olive oil on there....brings back the original shine

[Jim B]

Scrub it down with acetone.Finish it by brushing on Future floor finish.

[Rickey logan]

Get a can of startinf fluid and wash them off with that, it'll cut wd-40 like its water!!!! No smoking while using it!!!!!!

[Archer]

Do folks even consider using Neatsfoot oil these days?

I've been using it on horns and taxidermy hides since I was a kid. Had a couple taxidermists tell me it was the way to go. Makes things like antelope and bison horns really stand out.

Also works great on hunting boots, baseball gloves...pretty much anything leather. It's made for leather conditioning.

I use WD-40 on just about anything mechanical. 

[Leslie J.]

Has anyone used that "horn and antler conditioner"?  I'm curious as to how it turned out...been thinking of trying it.  Thanks

~Leslie

[!]

The acetone seems to have done a lot of good. I will let it air out for a few days and put on a little olive oil. I have learned a lot from y'all. I can almost feel a new hobby coming on.

[Jim B]

If you want to use oil on the horns,I'd recommend Scott's Liquid Gold.Olive oil is a food.It is not a good idea to apply food to a mount that you don't want bugs to eat.I used to use Scott's it but personally prefer the Future floor finish,rather than oil.

[Archer]

The oryx looks real nice!

I guess another question is whether you want a "Finish" or a "Conditioner".

I've always used the neatsfoot oil on horns to keep them moist and dark (black). The oils like lindseed, floor fishishers, etc. all dry hard or set/cure. A bit like a clear spray finish.

[!]

Thanks for the replies. The smell is gone now after a few acetone washes, so it can come back in from the garage. What happens if I don't put anything on the horns? Will they eventually dry out and crack?

[Todd K]

   I have used the Liquid gold or lemon oil. Both seemed to work good.