I have a question that I can't really find an answer to. Though I am sure the answer exsists. When you inject a preservation fluid into a birds foot, how long do you wait until injecting the resin to keep the foot from shrinking? I inject my feet with preservation fluid, but by the time they loose enough size to inject resin they are too dried out to accept the resin. Is there any product on the market that allows for the combination of both steps? Does something like Masters Blend have a preservation fluid in it?
Thanks
Chris
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Remove the foot with tibia attached, clean the bone, run your wire leaving more than enough to reattach and wire to the body.
Tie off the top of the leg with thread, seal with super glue.
Now inject the resin in several places, this will encase the tissues and preserve the lower leg and foot.
You also have the option of leaving the feet attached and injecting once the bird is mounted and you are going to pose the feet. If you remove the feet and use an injection material that sets very fast, you need to make sure your feet are posed the way you want them. Fantastic Cast takes about 12 hours to set so it gives you a lot of time. I think Masters Blend cures a lot faster. Also, make sure you don't have any wire holes in the feet before injecting or the fluid will just run out. If you have wire holes you could seal them with super glue. You still need to tie off above the knee joint as tight as possible.
If you leave the feet on the skin, you should try to inject as soon as you mount, You can rehydrate feet, .but the more holes the less injection fluid the feet will hold.