How do I get all the oil out of a whitened bear skull? It is fairly white except around the brain cavity area. Do i rub it with palmolive or some other dish soap or what. No clue... Thanks
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On bear skulls I soak them in lacquer thinner for several weeks, pull them out and let air dry. If they are still greasy i will soak them for a couple more weeks. Sometimes i drill very small hole in the greasy area so that thinner can get in and do its job. Once it dries grease free that is when i will whiten it.
good luck
There are lots of good degreasers that will acomplish this in less time without the danger of catching fire ot your shop or home, not to mention what these chemicals do to your health. Dawn dish soap in water in a small bucket for a few days will pull the grease out of hte skull. I like ot degrease just after I cook the skulls. I do not like to boil them as it damages the skull sutures and teeth. If you clean with beetles then soak the skull after they are done with it. It will kill off the larve of the demestids and the eggs as well as degrease the skull. I like to put the skull in hot water with the dawn. There are other degreasers like simple green, and orange cleaners that work great as well.
They are all organic and pose no health or environment problems to date. I personally think keeping flamable liquids in the shop is just asking for trouble.