Well, thought I would try my hand at this fine art of Taxidermy. Saved three W.T. bucks to mount. Thought I would practice on two does before trying the bucks. Read the forums and decided to try one doe with Bondo, and one with Ear liners. The first doe I used the Bondo. Everything went great, she turned out wonderful, for the first few days. Came home from work tonight and thought something looked odd. The left ear has narrowed. Is this from lack of strength, in the Bondo? the other ear is fine. I have heard that you had to really get the ears thin to make them look good, I did but, did I get them so thin, that they lacked the strength to hold their shape? Or did I just learn a good lesson about Bondo, I am aggravated, like I said, she did look great. Guess I like Liners better already, but would like some input as to why this happened, just for future reference. Thanks, Troy M.
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I use bondo glass and never had that problem but I can also do ear liners, I do prefer ear liners as I get a far better looking ear with them.
I use both methods in my shop, and haven't had much problem with either. Thin bondo ears may curl, so I tend to make them a little thicker. Make sure you are using resin and fiberglass with the mixture. I love to compete w/ whitetails and an ear liner is my choice for these pieces. Good luck.
Thanks for your reply. Is there any way I can widen the ear back out without doing major sergury,LOL. Thanks for any suggestions, Troy M.
Your answer is there in the original ear. Pay close attention to the reference you have. The cartilage was heavier in the middle of the ear, along those strength "vanes", right? Well, so should the bondo. I dont like bondo ears at all, but when the guys tell you to thin them, they mean as you get out toward the edge, much like the real ear. Practice with those liners, and I think youll like them better in time. Dont forget to pull the cartilage, or the ear will be too thick, no matter what.
I score the cartilage (bondo ears) with a razor to break the cartilage. This way, if if does decide to draw, it has nothing to pull against. Bill is correct. Nice earliners make beautiful ears. I use the bondo for commercial speed and production, but like I said, I compete with earliners.
Hey, thanks a million, I am trying earliners on my next W.t., gonna try to mount it next week when my son is here for Christmas, he will enjoy it I'm sure. Again thanks for the "PROFESSIONAL ADVISE" Troy M.
if you do use bondo again try taking a pair of scizzors and cutting or shaving the hair off a peice of tanned hide and mixing it with the bondo. it works great.