I notice that some of the birds at the competitions have an incredible amount of sheen to them and others are rather flat looking.
I know there is a great debate over using white gas in the degreasing process. Speaking with a lot of bird taxidermists over how they clean their birds there are varying opinions. From use of Dawn to other degreasers and even adding snuggle and using white gas and then tumbling birds.
What is it that brings back the sheen to a bird for that that just finished being preened look?
Could it be snuggle or the tumbling or the white gas?
What are your opinions on this?
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if it's washed properly, there shouldn't be a problem. I've heard and agree than some tumbling agents are better than others.. You don't want something that will leave dusty residue on the feathers, and I feel as though some things such as corn cob grit actually may polish the feathers to a certain degree.. but I'm not to for sure just how true that is..
As far as already mounted birds that are just dusty.. I've heard of poeple wiping their plumage with a slice of white bread which will restore a sheen to feathers.. but I tend to worry if that doesn't leave a oil residue on the feathers which over time, I don't think would be good.
Proper cleaning during the wash process is your best bet...it allows the feathers too all zip back up correctly and give a much better final product.
J
A quick dusting with a cloth with furnature polish takes the dust off and leaves a nice sheen to the feathers. Dont spray the bird, just put a little on the rag.
i have to wondered the same thing. I was recently at a competition and the bird judge was talking about this. He said it all comes down to the washing process. Dawn then white gas then tumble in corn cob grit. The cleaner you get the bird when degreasing the cleaner your finished mount will be.
one more thing alot of times you will see turkeys that just have a really shinny look to them compared to others that have a really dull look to them. He was saying that birds killed in the early spring will have more shine to them.
And as always the better the bird the better the finished product.
Try using a good degreaser for the skin, but not over doing the tumbling. Just enough to knock out the water. Also, petroleum based solvents OUTDOORS like Leanna mentioned earlier this week. Petroleum based solvents (hint) leave an oily sheen on feathers (hint) that the degreaser took away while cleaning the skin, which is a must. Birds in spring preen more often and the oil (hint) gland is very active then, thus the shine. Let me know if this silly deer head guy has a clue...
First off there are many different ways and everyone has there own favorite. It all starts from the degreasing though, and I will give you a run down on the way I usually do mine. I'm sure others will add their ways?
Good degreasing on the wheel, two good washings in dawn (antibacterial)/oxiclean or ajax; you can also use downy or snuggle in one of the rinses. spin out in washer or drain well and gently squeeze excess water out; paint with stoprot (skin), let set 15/20 min. tumble LIGHTLY in cob grit. (finish by fluffing with air on hair dryer or exhaust of shop vac. or air hose of compresser). Do the finishing of drying after the bird is mounted.
Try to stay away from using the fuels - you will find if you do it the way I mentioned you will have plenty of shine. Now, if you feel you still want more brightness/shine (some birds may require it) or you just want that finishing touch here's what I do. Just before the duck is ready to go out the door, dust with makeup brush, get some taxidermist magic, spray on PAPER TOWEL and gently wipe the duck/bird with this. I now use it because it seems to repel dust and you won't believe the shine it gives.
hope this helps.
I didnt say so, but I assume you all undestood that the solvent was for knocking out the water, not any form of degreaser, right?
In Taxidermy Today, summer 1990 ; their is a very good article on
Evaluating Taxidermy Chemicals,,,,Their effect on feathers.
By Stephen p. Rogers.
Im with Bonnie on the staying away from certain chems..I get plenty of sheen from washing them in dawn..Its very aparent when I am drying them on the form.the ole greeheads just shine fine.Its one of the coolest things to watch that matted up clummped up mess turn into a bird again.. Would'nt be without the shop Vac!