I just tanned several hides using Rittels EZ-100. The results overall were excellent. The problems I see are due to improper hide prep beforehand or due to very old salted hides. One thing I need to know, on one coyote and a fox the toe pads are shedding off the granular outer layer of skin. Not all and not on every paw. The hides themselves are terrific, soft, sturdy and white. Any idea what has caused this and if it can be eliminated in future batches?
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Sea Wolf, I've experienced exactly what you describe. I think it's because we failed to remove enough of the tissue inside the pads. The salt can't penetrate well in tight areas like toes if there is also extra flesh there. I think a short soak in denatured alcohol would serve to pull out most of the water in these areas and then salt heavily. The pads are in layers which naturally wear off as the critter goes about life. The layer we lose is pretty much "dead" skin even while the animal is alive so salt alone is no guarantee. Hey, I don't KNOW, but this is what I believe. Enjoy- Aaron H.
Thanks Aaron (again) :) ... The skins would still be mountable as it hardly shows but I know that outer layer *was* there on a few toes. I'll have to be a bit more dilligent next time and see what happens. Many thanx. ... The Highland skull mount is coming along very well. The skull is cleaned and I tanned the skin off the face from just above the nose to up past the horns. It is now drying and will be set on the skull when it's done. It looks rather different with the red hair hanging down on it.
You probably already know this, but you can rebuild them with Apoxie Sculpt if there are damaged areas on the pads.