Newby help-which products for waterfowl?

Submitted by Mike on 11/29/99. ( ) 24.225.21.46

I am new to taxidermy and self-taught through books. I am only concentrating
on doing waterfowl right now, and only want taxidermy as a hobby. I am
curious what solutions you recommend using on the waterfowl. I am currently
thinking skin and degrease with borax, soak in Kemsol Degreaser (diluted
with water 1 solution to 10 water, tumble in diatomaceous earth (something new
from Van Dyke's)in a plastic bag, and
then rub dry preservative into the skin, and then mount. Also inject balmex
into feet. Am I missing anything or is there better alternatives to any of
these?

Thank you very much.

Mike

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Mike, why change what works well?

This response submitted by John C on 11/30/99. ( ) 204.180.103.210

I have used the diatom/earth it is small crustacea shells. They have been uded for aquarium filters for 30 some years. I have heard that they are so sharp that roachs will lose their body fluids and die from this. So maybe it could be used in place of the preservitive or with it?

It does get very muddy when wet. Would sure like to know how it works. Please let us know. JC

I didn't know if would work well!

This response submitted by Mike on 11/30/99. ( ) 24.225.21.133

I will certainly let you know about the diatomaceous earth. Van Dyke's
rep said they recommended it over the sawdust and cob grit based on
customer satisfaction so far. They said it polishes the feathers better
than anything.

As far as "changing what works well", I really don't know how that stuff
works yet. This is only my second mount and I screwed the first one up
degreasing (trying to dry with Plaster of Paris). I just wondered if that combination
of supplies sounded reasonable or if there were other alternatives out
there that would be better. I also wanted to know if I was missing anything.
I hate to spend so many hours doing this and then find out it falls apart
in a month because I used a wrong product.

I hear of very few people using Kemsol Degreaser. That's one I really
wondered about. But for the price, it seems best, and safe. None of the
manuals mention it, but I just wondered if it was newer than the manuals.
I also wondered if I need a Liqua-Cure or something like that.

Mike

Thanks for your reply.

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