I was wondering if any one new any tricks for inner ear detail. I know you can buy buts, but can you make one with ear detail? Also is there anny way to stain the ear cartladge for color? Or do most people air brush? what about the ear hair? I am loving taxidermy, and learning every day, I hope to continue. If anyone has some advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks Mike
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Well, nice to know that attention to detail is alive and kicking. When I remove inner ear cartiledge I cut (carefully) above the bumps and remove the flat part only. Then the inner ear is the real inner ear. Very authentic. Very important, test fit the earliners. If they're too big it will drum every time. They make a thing to push the form in clay for inner ear, but I've never tried it. If you don't airbrush, you can put 1 or 2 (no more) drops of red paint in the cartiledge adhesive. I use Mars Red in Magic Smooth. The hair... it's a good idea to shampoo the inner ear well with either regular shampoo or I use cape prep wash. Some deer have more hair then others.
Hey Mike,
Liek Pacemakr said, add a little (very little) red to your adhesive. If it looks hot pink, youve got way too much in there. Just a tint. You will be surprised how well it shows trough the tin ear skin. I remove the cartilage all the way on my deer. I do use one of the those ear tools, the kind that you just press the inner detail in with. I place a ball of Sculp-all in there. Then I paint as neccessary. The best ears I've done are the pinkish colored earliners (epply's I think). I used Jaw Juice for the adesive. It is a clear glue, that remains flexible. Make sure after you get your ears set that you pack them with paper to keep them tight against the liners while the glue drys. This will eliminate drumming.
Good luck,
Dave