Had a skin fleshed and tanned from a local tax.. I had it in the freezer for about 4 mos. waiting for supplies and the time to mount.When the plan came together I pulled the cape out, defrosted it,washed it good, and let it dry for about 12 hrs.. Upon tring to pull the skin over the mannikan it started tearing up around the y incision of the antlers and on further inspection it tears fairly easy. I tried to sew it but the stiches pull right through and there are other places on the cape that look similar. Did I do something wrong? Did the Taxidermist do something wrong? Can I fix it (i.e. neadsfoot oil) I used WASCO skin prep when I wash it. Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is a fantastic buck. Thanks, Chris
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Whoever tanned the cape shave the hide a bit to thin, this wil cause the thread and any hard pulling to rip or tear the skin.
Now your manikin best fit the deer real good so that you won't tear it up any more. You may even have to go a bit smaller on the neck size so that yo can save it from tearing it up more and cause you more grive.
Now when you go and sew this up I would use a good hide paste ( Epo-Grip) and sewing should be to just hold the hide there not to pull but to gently keep the hide in place. You may even have to pin it here and there if you can't sew the seams together. The hide has to be cared for gently so that you don't rip it any more. Take your time and it will still mount up nicely.
Also there was no real reason for the hide to dry out for 12hrs. If the hide was wet tanned it was ready for mounting as soon as it thawed. Was the tanned skin dried out? If it is is needs to be reweted and then you can proceed with mounting it also.
When I wash a hide that needs to be washed I wash it in tide, pert shampoo, rinse, rinse and rinse till clean squeeze the water out by hand, place in the dryer with a bunch of old towels place the hide in the dryer hair side out and tumble for 15-20 min. Take it out and it's ready for mounting.
thanks for your help. The cape was shaved perfect. the spots that are tearing are pretty thick say 1/8 th in. around the base of the antlers, and it tears pretty easy. I can tear it by pulling with a little force but not much. Can I reverse this by re-tanning or oil? Thanks again your help is priceless.
Chris, One other thing I know of that makes a cape tear easily is if the cape is not neutralized after the pickle process. The acid in the cape from the pickle continues to work on the skin making it very fragile. This usually will show up months or years after tanning. With a cape like you describe I would go with a smaller form and use an epoxie type adhesive. Also avoid using stitches to pull the skin together- taxi everything into position so you don't put stress on the stitches and trust in the adhesive to do the actual holding. If the cape is damaged a lot and "falling apart" get a replacement cape and remember that everything we do can teach us something. Enjoy, Aaron H.