I have a question and I think I already know the answer, but here goes .My second attempt at mounting a mule deer resulted in less than decent results,the clay work around the tear ducts left a puffy,swelled look to the deer, the rest of the mount looks o.k. Is there anyway to soften the clay to work on that area or just chunck the deer and start with a new cape.The deer has been mounted about 6 months.Thanks
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Next time you should notice the puffy swelled eyes before you allow it to dry. Clay doesn't expand while it's drying.
Good Luck on the next one!
Since it's a relatively "young" mount, there shouldn't be a problem working this one from the outside. Wet around the eye area with warm water. Then soak a paper towel in warm water with a few drops of Dawn in it. Lay the wet towel over the eye and wrap the face with plastic freezer wrap. Let it set for a day or so and then see if the clay hasn't softened up. Manipulate it through the skin to where you want, pin it down, and let dry. When dry, simply refinish the eye.
Thanks for the info .I will try the wet rag approach, if it doesnt work I may get another cape and start over. I also had a local taxidermist tell me to try putting it face first into a bucket of water.Anyway thanks for the help.