Hi people. I tried maceration this year on my deer skulls i have one problem after a week or two a black substance (maybe grease) turned the skulls black! well i soaked the skulls in dawn dish soap. did some scubbing on them and got most of it off. well i went and put it in h202 (3%) its been in there a week and a half and it has a bad yellow tint to it and it won't come off. plus i did an elk the same way but used basic white on it and it did the same thing. ANY IDEA'S
Thanks and GOD BLESS
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The black is likely a sort of aquatic mold for lack of a better description. Removing the bones as it occurs and cleaning them, then reintroducing them to to the solution after a 50% water change should clear it up. I've only seen this happen once before.
For the yellow, first be positive that it's not just the natural colour of the bone. Ssome people confuse this as they are expecting gleaming white as though it's SUPPOSED to be that way. Try a stronger degreaser than DAWN, or degrease for longer periods.
If after that it still isn't white enough for you - then it may be time to upgrade to the hydrogen peroxide paste (40%). I don't use this unless absolutely necessary, and 3% works for me, so I don't have much experience with it, BUT... when using the basic white, I believe it is recommended that you use that as the developer along WITH the H2O2... mix the two together... perhaps George or someone else who uses this technique can clarify please?
I found that soaking skulls in a metal container tend to blacken them after some time in the soak. Use ony plastic containers as these will not cause your skull to discolor.