Today I pulled an elk cape out of the pickle and thinned it. Then I neutralized it and let it drip for about 15 mins. I then rolled it up skin side to towel for another 15 mins. However, still seems fairly wet. I put the liqua-tan on it heavy and am letting it sit over night.
Question is on the bottle it says the cape needs to be as free of moisture as possible for the tan to penetrate best. Will it still penetrate a wetter cape and just take longer?
Thanks, John
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My experiance with liquatan is that even wet, it can penetrate, but you have to keep it rolled up or let it hang. If you are applying it wet, let it hang for a fw days longer and apply more liquatan when it gets a bit dryer. Also, make sure you cover BOTH sides of the ear, inside and out.
The best thing I have found that if you are in a hurry to get your hide done, put the cape in the washer and let it spin with the hair against the wall side of the washer. If you have blades in the washer, make sure you throw a towel in with it to protect it from them. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER SYCLY BUT THE SPIN.
Another method, which I use most often, is I use an industrial fan and a pair of good thick towels. I lay the hide down on a towel with the fan on low and gentle dab the hair until it flutters without seeming really wet, then I turn it over and dab the flesh side until it is no longer shiny from being wet. Do this a few times until the cape is just damp.
Wringing the cape makes hair fall out. I dont recommend that. Otherwise, the Liquatan is very good stuff. I recommend it for everything, but bears.
I'll dry my capes by placing a bunch of towels in the dryer set on cool and tumble it for 10 to 15 minutes. Take out and apply the liqua-tan.