I am going to be getting a lynx pelt that was soft tan by a tannery.How do you recommend me to rehydrate(salt water solution) it to get measurents, and after I rehydrate it should I just leave it and let it dry again or freeze it untile I am ready to mount it. Also if I should freeze it do I need to rehydrate it again to mount it.I just want to make sure I really don't want to mess this pelt up.One more thing how maney times can you rehydrate a pelt or hide.Thanks nick
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rehydrate your pelt in tepid room temperature water with a 1/2 cup bounty fabric softener. Soak until cartilage is pliable,
Get your measurements. Bag it well in plastic and freeze. When it comes to the night prior to mounting, thaw in same bath above, once thawed bag and refridgerate overnight, proceed to mount come morning time and final thinning/shaving is done, or you can do this process, {final trimming and shaving etc,,,,}
before initial freezing, then all you have to do is mount. I try to freeze, rehydrate, thaw, refreeze as little as possible, for a host of reasons.
If the hide is tanned, why introduce the salt. I use half a CAP of fabric softener to break surface tension and the tepid to warm water works best. Let it sweat overnight, stretch and then measure.
George the purpose of Salt is to help prvent acid swell. Sometimes they don't neturlize properlly and through it't taned salt stop this process.