and i do NOT like the results. Can I remove the skin, rehydrate it and tan it properly, or do I chalk this up to experience?
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What is it you do not like about the DP. Did you use Borax, or did you use the chalky stuff they sell as dry Preservative in the catalogs. The dry chalky stuff does seem to cake up on contact with moisture quite a bit and leaves a bumpy look to it if not shaken off before mounting. I have been using Borax on snake skin mounts for 10 years with no problems. Maybe it is your technique or steps you are taking that are giving you the unsatisfactory results you do not like. If I knew more i could try to help
Borax, the skin seems to be brittle, maybe I just didn't get it 'full' enough or filled out properly. I have been reading all I can get my hands on and I tried something I probably shouldn't have....I tried filling it with clay instead of ordering a form (I KNEW better). I have ordered forms for the other snakes I have in the freezer and am going to try again. It just LOOKS dead to me, I'm not happy with what I have done, maybe your right, it's my technique not the DP. Any suggestions?
You solved the problem. Clay is very hard over a long length of snake to make it anatomocally correst. It will have irregular bumps and flat spots, giving it the dead look. Try it again on a form that fits the snake, and you will see a big difference. also the clay shrinks and sucks the moisture out of the skin getting premature drying, and a void area betwen the skin and the shrunken clay
Good luck on the next one, and just take your time
but I still wonder, can I remove the skin and re-mount, or is that a learning curve? BTW...I mailed a check to you yesterday for a copy of your video.
removing the skin, and give it a good rinse in dawn detergent and vcold water. Let the skin drip dry for about 10 minutes and refreeze ytill ready
I'll do that, thank you Tom, I figured it was a lost cause.