Just wondering what you use to clean feathers on birds other than coleman fuel. Thank You for any help. AFTER YOU CLEAN BIRD WITH DAWN SOAP.
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
somewhere in the middle of Montana right about now. She is headed for the nationals in SD.
From working with her, I can tell you that as a general rule, she does not use any additional resources to clean a bird other than dawn liquid soap.
Rinse, and then tumble.
There are probalby a few instances where she may need to whinks, or peroxide a really dirty bird, but she is generally a stickler for elbow grease and a toothbrush.
I'm sure she will elaborate when she gets back to a computer.
I will let her know you have inquired when I see her tomorrow.
Jon
Why not stick with what works best? After washing i dawn, rinse, and submerse in minneral spirits, then tumble.
There is ABSOLUTELY no need to use mineral spirits, gasoline, coleman fluid, acetone, or any other solvent material. I quit using it after 3 birds in 1981, and guarantee that it has not needed. Besides risking your health and those of others living in your combustible house, it leaves a film on the surface, and I am convinced even a short soak will reduce the elasticity of the skin you would be mounting.
A post by Nancy on NOT rincing with gasoline.
http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/BirdTaxiArticles/02/k/029565C844.html
These people who advocate use of solvents have to try it without!
you are my masiah i just like reading your old post on here thanks again.
Just looking for some other ideas than using fuels.everyone has been very helpful. Thanks to all Mark
I'm not trying to speak for anyone and I'm not any pro, but here's my opinion on the matter. I think the best thing to clean feathers with is some sort of soap.(Degreaser) Not gas.
I have seen pro's use coleman instead of tumbling so that it doesn't tear up their bird, but gets quick results in drying. But the bird has been properly washed. I am going to try using it just to see for myself the difference. I like to experiment and learn. Thats my nature. Now, I will be outside when I use it wearing proper safety gear and my three year old son will not be near by playing with matches. Common sense people.
They way I feel about it is that petroleum products are just not as natural as soap, corn cob grit and blowing air. Just my two cents.
Also, Thanks for posting The Taxidermologist.
Jon summed up my methods quite nicely. After using Dawn, I normally tumble the skins in sawdust, blow dry them a little bit, and then mount them.
The only time I use solvents is when the bird is too delicate to withstand being tumbled, but those cases are few and far between. I normally complete any stain removal by using Whinks, peroxide or whatever before I get to the Dawn stage.
I have had alot of medical issues with my sinus and it was not helping matters that I was using Coleman fluid on a weekly basis. I have mounted about 30 birds in the last couple of months without it and have had no promblem what so ever. They included Eiders, Buffleheads and Pintails and vairous others. I have had to use winks on some though. The two birds that I had at the Nationals both were taken from multiple Dawn washes and then fluffed. I dont like to tumble birds for shows, but other then these two the others went in a tumbler and then moderatly fluffed to dry the down. Well I hope this helps. I have had a lot easier time getting a clean slick bird this way. Just like they said above alittle elbow grease and a tooth brush and good old Dawn works wonders. Email if any questions.
Cody