I'm re-mounting an 10 years old capercaillie mount. Any suggestions to make me succesful with this project? I don't have any clue how it has been done earlier...Thanks for any adwise to help me!
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Get a refrig box, line the box with vis queen, you may need to lay the box flat to do this, I use Super-77 Spray glue.
Put the box back togather and seal the corners, you want this air tight!
Now a small light bulb and a huge pan of water, you are heating the water slowly to make the box very very humid, the heat and humid ity go hand in hand (See Summer in the Delta as a source)
As the bird softens you may need to inject a bit of water and bacteride into the wings.
....cut a small peep hole that can be sealed with a piece of tape....
Maybe three days to soften the bird, do your best not to loose the humidity when checking.
From there on you are own your own.
Did a couple bald eagles this way years back and they came out great.
The skin become flexible, I removed the sawdust, then was able to use Rittles Super Solvent to clean the bird and remount it.
Note of caution, older mounts my have been preserved with arsenic in Ivory Soap.
Dust mask and rubber gloves required.
...I was thinking if I could rehydrate it in a big water tank filled with saltwater. Could that work? If not,i'll try method you suggested,thanks a lot!
I know this way works, it even works on salted flat bird skins.
After the skin is soften using Super solvent will make it workable.
Just be sure to rinse all the soap out.
The saltwater soak will allow bacteria to grow FAST.
Soak the entire bird in warm dawn 'sudsy' water with a capful of lysol. I would not even put salt in the water as it is not neccesary. After about 8 hours remove the skin from the body,rinse it put it in sudsy water with lysol for several more hours inject soapy water into the toes . Drain, roll into a plastic bag and freeze as this will 'open' the cells Let it sweat in the fridge for a couple days and finally remount. Good Luck
Lysol is now on the high end of the pH it will disolve the bird.
Check the pH if you dont think I am right!
SHOULD say I know what I am talking about. I mount a lot of salt dried skins every year. I didn't say to put much lysol in the soak, just enough to ward off any bacteria. I have never had a bird skin disintegrate I am not into the science of tanning and watching ph levels. I am just telling this individual what works for myself with great success.