Just have a quick question. Should you use hide paste on a wet tanned cape or what? Some guys tell me to just mount it and it will dry to the form but i think if oyu do that it will shrink and posibly drum in areas. please tell me what you think. Thanks
Return to Beginners Category Menu
Kyle that is a good question. So good if you do a search on this you will find roughly 10 pages pertaining to this in the search/archive area. You will find more answers there then you will get with this one post. This is a most fascinating site for knowledge of taxidermy. If you only know the secrets. So before some one makes a post about the orange button to your left, I thought I would explain to you where and how to get the most answers/opinions. Most people dont see that orange button. But if you are the few that can find it. You are in for a great time of reading all about the orange button. If you ever get board and really want to go in depth with taxidermy. Go to that secret orange button and serach for the phrase ORANGE BUTTON! That will blow your mind all the knowledge about the orange button.
Best of luck with your drumming. I never could get the hang of music!
Yes, always use hide paste. And yes, guys cut corners and do not use hide paste, and yes they do drum. It will dry and shrink down, but not where you want it. Areas will pull out of place. My first deer I had done in my pre-taxidermy days had no glue, was not tanned, and had rubber silicone caulk plugging the nostrils and Lucama gland, no clay around the eyes, and because no hide paste was used, there was an honest 3/4" gap in the sewing down the back of the neck. How do I know? I tore it apart to re-do it myself. Do not take short cuts on materials or methods. And yes, he was the cheapest guy around when I was shopping for taxidermist.
Hey Kyle Always use hide paste. You won't regret it. You can still taxi the hide around and it will be much more successful. Use some aluminum screen and T-Pins in areas like the brisket and under the chin. Those areas tend to pull more. Good luck. If you need any more help let me know.
No mount is complete with out it. You can make your own out of dextrin and whiting. 2 parts dextrin to 1 part whiting and maybe add some paper pulp to give it some bite. I use this some times but use Epo-Grip water base all the time. As for screening use window screen from any hardware store works great. Tip get an air upholstery stapler they work great for puting down screening over the back seams and around the brisket.