I am working on my first deer mount. I have pickled the hide for 24 hrs and then shaved it down. I think it is well shaved. I tried to test fit my cape on my form and it seemed real tight (in fact, the neck skin would not fit into place without using a lot of force). Will the hide stretch more after I liqua-tan and oil it?
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Did you neutralize your cape after pickling? Did you wash the cape clean of pickle residue? If not try these two things.
well If things don't fit you got to sacrifice some where..I would say the vertical side of the neck could be shaven so It fits did you take some kind of measurments that you understand?Did you get a deer form too big..then shave it down..without loosing deer detail..some people are very smart one little mistake & they'll know
That'll give It a bit of a stretch
yes the oil should help for stretch also
even with the force you needed to give it...its fine...once you are ready to mount it, use Hidepaste it'll help it slip on easier...!
and tan, then try to fit cape on form. The pickle tightens and plumps up the hide for easier shaving. neutralizing lets the hide back out to its normal size, tannind and oiling keeps it there.
Did you follow the instructions? Reread them as you may have left something out.
When you get ready to do the mount, use 4 gallons of warm water (NOT HOT) and 1/2 cup of ERA laundry detergent. Soak the cape for 15 minutes, while pilling stretching and working the cape mouth everything in all directions.
My bet is when you do this it will relax. If not you have not pulled and stretched it enough.