The archives aren't working right now. I have tanned a skunk, but the stripes down it's back are kind of yellow. Is this the skunk's true color, or is it not clean? I have used dawn dishsoap, and bloodeater from Van Dykes, but I can't seem to get rid of the yellow. I'm not sure I'm using the bloodeater correct. Should I let the hide soak, rub it straight on the fur, of dilute it some? any help is appreciated. Thanks (P.S. If you want to chew me out for not checking the archives, please just pass this by)
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There are 2 steps I found very useful when removing the natural creme to orange color on a skunk stripe.
Step 1. Carefully bleach just the stripes and other areas you want white. Do not let the bleach sit too long, just until it makes the fur underneath "clear" (see through). Apply the bleach mix with a fine brush. I mean the commercial human hair bleach stuff, by the way.
Step 2. Tan the skunk and add Fur Brighteners.
Don't add too much brightener or you'll have a purple and black skunk.
My skunk went from creme-backed and yellow-tail-tipped to a beautiful cold black and pure bright cold white. No mishaps either. He's just gorgeous. This works on any white animal or any white area of an animal, by the way. The brighteners also take the red cast out of many species.
The brighteners DO yellow with time, so make sure to tan your skins with a product which won't cause dry rot. This is because you'll want to re-tan / re-brighten in say, 10 years. That means NO ALUM, No sulfuric acid pickle.
People who tell you to just do a search, suck.
Thanks a lot skunk! I realy appreciate the info!
How does one 're-tan' a skin on a mounted specimen later?
~ ETCC