I've been mounting waterfowl for 2 years now and I'm not satisfied with the results after they are washed and dried. After I degrease the bird I wash it in with Dawn Soap with water. I then rise it good then give it a gas bath. Does any one else have any other procedures that they get better results?
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stop using gas. Buy some Rittal's Super Solvent. This stuff is great. It gets the oil and grease OUT. STOP with the gas. You'll blow yourself up!
JT, It would help if you told what you don't like. I never use a gas bath as Doug is right. Please give more info. Thanks, Jim
After I degrease I give 2 good washings in Dawn and then a short 10 minute soak in Downy fabric softener.It makes for softer,fluffier plummage when dried.I then will use either Rittel's Super Solvent or Bollman's Greasebuster,either one works great.After that I spin dry in the washing machine and then tumble for about 8 to 10 minutes and then take a shop vac and blow most of the duck or goose dry and top it off with a hair dryer for the final drying.Always turns out great and mounts up even better.I still use mineral spirits sometimes on larger birds such as swans and geese to displace the extra water but always use it outdoors if your going to use it.
Does the Rittel's replace the gas step? Can you use it on multiple birds?
Especially since it's unsafe and unnecessary IF THE BIRD IS PROPERLY DEFATTED. I still say that the only time a solvent should come into play is when there are some extenuating circumstances. Normally, birds that are PROPERLY DEFATTED can be cleaned with ordinary soap products. You need to attend a seminar and see how experts have learned to use mechanical instead of chemical means to degrease. I know Jon told me after defatting a bird, he takes it and with a toothbrush, actually brushes the feather tracts with Dawn mixed in water. Too many gasoline asses want to use gasoline on the feathers to take the place of proper care of the skins. Gas is a SOLVENT and does not degrease (maybe I've said that before). IF I was going to use a solvent, it would be the FIRST step and certainly not the last step in the cleaning process. I'd then use the soap to remove the SOLVENT residue from the feathers.
Along the lines of what the George man said.
I put a couple of cap fulls of super solvent in a small tub of water. Then I use a small brass brush to scrub the fat off of the skin. Work with the feather tracks. You have to break the thin membrane on covering the fat. Then the brush and the solvent will start to work. The skin will be CLEAN. No fat left, unless you don't take you time and do it right. You have to understand, Super solvent is a surfactent. Just a very, very good soap. Keep the bird right in the water and keep wetting the skin and your brush as you work. You will be amased at how well the feathers will work and position if you remove all of the fat. George hit it on the head (as he has many times) you have to have the skin clean and the only way to do that is by mechanical means.
Doug
Do you use a wire wheel on the bird first, or just scrub through the fat after triming the meat away with the super solvent.Thanks
I have found the brush method to be my best bet. I have used my wire wheel, but heat and friction cause holes if you are not careful. I started to use my brush method and found that, sure it takes a little time and elbow grease, but my birds are cleaned, defatted and washed all at the same time. By working the bird in the water, you agitate the feathers and wash them the whole time you are working on the skin. Finish working the skin and rinse. It's ready to go into the tumbler prior to mounting or ready to get blown dry. I use my tumbler and then finish with the blower side of a small shop vac. I had a guy come to my shop and mount a crow. I showed him this simple method and the bird required very little feather adjustment during the mounting process. Dont be afraid to SPEND the 10 or 15 bucks on this stuff. It goes a long way. I only use 2 cap fulls in my wash water. Forget the GAS!
The product- degreaser put out by Steve S at Epo-Grip. Blood out degreaser or something, they all sell it. And cheap soap bath with thorough rinses, emphasis on the plural. Gas and Kero have no place in my shop
in the bird taxidermy archives. I think your questions will be answered there.
Jon
Are you suggesting someone use the Orange SEARCH icon? What a concept. LMAO
Go to the head of the class. We have been preaching this on the forums since I came on in 2000, and George back before computers were even invented. I think he spelled it out with an abbacas (spelling?)
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