I need to replace the broken end (about 4") of the main beam of a whitetail rack. I've done this before, but always had a devil of a time trying to PAINT it to match the rest of the rack. The product I use is Apoxie Sculpt, and it is a grey color when mixed. I am thinking about mixing color(water based paints) into the Apoxie Scupt to achieve the closest match I can without painting the surface. Can anyone give me some good advice for getting the colors of the epoxy and the bone to match? I have a couple of antler pieces that I can grind to fit, but the color is STILL off to the extent that it's obviously an add-on. Also, if I use a real piece for the end, I STILL have the color problem where I use epoxy to fill & feather out the union. Thanks for any help.
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When I build or repair an antler, I imbed wires into the beam and them wrap them with .032 aircraft safety wire. Then I take Apoxie Sculpt Natural and rebuild the point slightly oversized. Once cried, I rasp it down to the appropriate size . This material matches most antler bone INSIDE the antler. Now I take Epo-Grip Antler Repair and put a very thin coat over the Apoxie. The product is VERY sticky and it cures in less than 15 minutes. You have to work fast and you have to use LOTS of water. Candy coat your repair and blend the Antler Repair epoxy down on to the beam. Allow to cure overnight. Next day, sand the antler repaired areas with 120 or finer grit sandpaper. Then use Min-Wax, potassium permanganate, or any other stain. The Epo-Grip WILL hold the stain so you can match your antler. When dried, buff with a soft cloth. Then as a finisher, I take natural bee's wax and rub it over all the repaired area. Then I give it a final buffing with a soft cloth to give the antler its natural sheen back. I know of no other epoxie product that will accept stains like this one.
Guys,
When I repair antlers, I just drill and epoxy a piece of sturdy wire, even clothes hanger in the antler.Then use apoxy sculptto build up and smooth down to exact size and overlap alittle. While it's still wet wipe some dust from around the shop on your hand and wipe the repair or pat it on. Sometimes when it's all set up you don't even need a stain. Just buff it. And when it's set dry then I hit it alittle with a rasp here and there to put back some natural scratches and scrapes on it.
If I need stain I use a wood stain with the poly coat in it, rub it on thick, let it slightly tack up, and lightly buff it off.Enough color stays and it stays in the scratches. Looks very natural.
Hope that helps.
----Michelle B
I followed his directions for this before and it works better than any other antler repair method I've tried. Thanks George. BP
I followed his directions for this before and it works better than any other antler repair method I've tried. Thanks George. BP
lots of ways to do like above mentioned drill in and glue in wire to approx lenght, i use the natural color sculpt whitened using polytranspar paint, shape it with wet fingers to desired effect, then add whatever details after smoothing you like, grooves scratches etc. once it sets up i use a burnt umber wash to match the coloration in the rest of the rack, u can darken it towards the bottom and go lighter towards the tip or whatever looks good, i find it pretty foolproof, good luck
Doug, You need to CHEAT! get the repaired antler as close to the right color as you can and if it is still too obvious slightly airbrush the rest of the rack to match your repair. The slightly darkened antlers aren't ever noticeable to anyone.
I can't take credit for this--got it from the archives.
Try mixing apoxie sculpt 50 50 with Elmers wood filler paste. The elmers changes the color of the apoxie to near perfect bone color. Later, I add some dark brown detai to look like resin rubs. Try it.
Ron
Try this, got this from Larry Reese at larry@wildlifeartistry.com .After you make your repairs with Apoxie Sculpt,and sanded the repair, use a paint called "Make it Suede" made by Krylon. A good bone color is 1240-BERBER. Spray the entire antler with this stuff ( two coats ).After it is completely dry add your antler stain or wood stain ( I use Min Wax Wood Finish, Special Walnut #224 with excellent results!) building your coats up slowly to the desired color. If needed, lightly hit the high spots with 000-steel wool. Once you are completely satisfied, seal it off with two coats of Krylon 1311 ( I use one coat of Rust-oleum Crystal Clear enamel-Glossy Finish). I have made several repairs using this method and haven't found better results yet!