Hello all,
Starting my first coon and got the pelt today dried, was done with Lutan. Anyways, rehydrated it in 5gal water 1 tbs. relaxer and few handfulls of salt. Everything went great except I don't think I let it soak just as long as I should have and kind of screwed up a foot when I was trying to turn it back right side out and get the nails turned back out. I ended up ripping the skin in a couple places (one on top and one on the pad by the toes). What is the best way to repair this? Should I just use the black nylon thread I use and make real small stitches, or what can I do to make sure it doesnt show? I am sure the black paint will hide most on the pads of the feet but I don't know about the real short hair on top. Also, would you make those repairs before or after putting the hide on the form?
Would appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks! Jason
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if not, then do not sew it. just mount as normal, Then pin the bad areas, touch up the pad with apoxie sculpt and paint. The short hair on the foot should need no more work after it dries. Joe
you would pin both the pad and then the short hair part, touch up with black apoxie sculpt, and then paint with a black on the pads - and that should cover everything?
Dark brown or burnt umber is more the colors needed. Epoxy sculp the repairs on the pads then stipple with a toothbrush but only if you are going to see them. We have actually had to rebuild complete bear paw pads because they were missing on hides. If the form has the feet on it, like so many now do, just zap-a-gap the tear on the hair side to the foam. Use the glue sparingly. You could also sew the rip in the top of the foot with thin monofilament fishing line. When it is dry just touch the line with a heated pin or needle and the line will disappear.
I'll just buy the paintable apoxie sculpt and some burnt umber wildlife colors paint. Will buy that zap a gap gel too, to use. Thanks! Jason