I recently found a deer skull with the antlers still intact and wish to bleach and mount it. I have read the archives of your forum that suggested using a peroxide solution of 35% or household peroxide for 4-5 days. However I seem to recall a friend of mine who bleached bones using a bleach solution, and then counter-acting the bleach with vinegar. Is anyone familiar with this method?
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Peroxide is the only way. Bleach will severely damage the skull. This should be covered pretty extensively in the archives.
I use a combination of Magnesium Carbonate, which is a fine white powder, mixed with just enough hydrogen peroxide to make a fairly thick paste. I just paint it on (so to speak), inside as best I can, and outside, even over the teeth. Then I sit the skull out in the sun for about 24 hours then rinse it off with water. Some may need a 2nd application, but most do really well with one. Feel free to e-mail me with Q's.
I've had great results using 40 volume
h2o2 ( hydrogen peroxide ) and
Clairol Basic White bleach. You can buy this
at any local beauty supply store.
Mix it into a paste and paint it on,
if it starts to dry out, reapply it until
you get the desired whiteness on the skull.
DO NOT USE liquid (chlorine) bleach, it will damage the bones
Don