Could someone please tell me if you can just use light bondo, and fiberglass resin, plus hardener with out useing chopped fiberglass in the bonded ear method. It is one of my own bears. Thank You!
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Tom,
There are a lot of taxidermists that will tell you that they have great success with the bondo ear method, probably true. However, you have to play mixologist to make a slurry with the fiberglass chop and resin to make the bondo work. The ears are not going to be as thin as installing an earliner, nor are the results 100% consistant taxidermist to taxidermist because of skill levels. If you use a product like our Epo-Grip Liquid Fast Set you can still use the bondo type method with chop and the results will be a lot stronger and consistant. We do recommend removing the cartiledge and using earliners for the best results. Using the epoxy product saves time and potential errors in the finished product. Bondo as it has been said here many times is not an adhesive. The fiberglass resin is added to help it stick. If we can help you call us at 800-888-2467. Best of Luck!
I would first like to state that I am only a novice, I dont like to misslead. I do prefer to use earlinners, but on some instances I have been tought, and have used just bondo, and some cut up paper for support. It seems to have worked well. I have been told to be carful on how the cape was tanned. you may want to clean the inner ear well if you are just useing bondo. Again, I believe that most taxidermists prefer earliners and adheasive. I am curius to what others have to say on this issue. good luck Mike
I have always used bondo and hardener. I have never added anything else for stregnth. It is true that bondo is not an adhesive, but I have NEVER had an ear to drum. It is true that the finished product will be dependant on the taxidermist skill level, but so is everything else. If you make sure the ears are dry, and clean them with laquer thinner, you shouldn't have any problems. You may want to test the amount of hardener you use because the "kick" time wil be diferent if you don't add anything else. Make sure you have plenty of time to work with the ear, but mix it hot enough so it doesn't take too long. Whith practice, you can make a nice looking, smooth ear.
I have nothing against earliners. This is just another way. It is faster because you don't have to remove the cartiledge. If you are talking about competition,use earliners.This is just my opinion.
My instructor taught me to use only bondo on every species we work with. He has used this method for 26 years with no problems whatsoever and I have used this method myself on every animal I mount. Don't worry you will be just fine.