Ok, either I am missing something or someone has a secret they wont let go of when it comes to skull bleaching. I use beetles to clean my skulls now and they are doing great. But the bleaching process is something I am having trouble with. After searching and reading in the archives and calling a few people, I still can't seem to bleach stuff and get it to the look I want. I am using 40 volume hydrogen peroxide and have even tried mixing it with white bleaching powder. I have tried mixing it with water (50/50) as Skulls Unlimited suggested and soaking overnight (I did it for three days), and the bones were not completely white. I spoke with Ben Mears who says he boils his skulls then puts 40 volume hydrogen peroxide right after he brings the skull out of the pot, while its still hot. Would this have something to do with it? He has never used bugs before so he didn't know why my skulls weren't turning white. I'm about ready go postal, LOL! Really, what is the secret? What am I missing or doing wrong? Im not looking to steal business from anyone, I just maintain a colony to do my skulls from my local customers and want to get away from "painting" skulls.
Return to Deer Taxidermy Category Menu
Apply your whitening chemicals and let the skull sit in the sunlight for 2-3 days....should get them really white.
.........why your skulls are not coming out white. I use the Masceration process and after I spray them off with a pressure washer I wrap them in a cotton wipe type cloth and soak them in 100% peroxide that I buy from Wal Mart. The next day I set them out in the sun for the day. They always come out very white.
I've started using this method and the skulls need very little bleaching when done. A little sunlight does most of the trick !
Are you remembering to degrease the skulls? Not degreasing can cause yellowing or a lack of whitening.
All I've ever used is 40 volume peroxide and a powder called Clairol Basic White. (Both can be ordered theough any hair salon, or at Van Dykestaxidermy.com) Mix together to the consistency of mayonaise and paint it on thick all over the skull. let stand for 48-72 hrs and rinse off under warm water. You may have to use a fine brush to remove some residue in very few spots. They should be nice and white after this. Good luck!
I haven't done any degreasing, and maybe this is the problem! I have read about using Acetone to degease, how exactly are we applying the acetone or soaking, and for how long?
clean the skulls, soak in 35% H2O2 50-50% solution until white.....2-5 days...drain.....then immerse in the hottest tap water we can get..then when the water cools down there will be a yellow or white fatty substance on the water surface (the discoloring fat in the bone). Place a few drops of Dawn detergent on the water surface...the fat and oils will spread apart like the Red Sea and then remove the skull....whalla...not grease on the surface of the skull...repeat 2-4 times or until all yellowing disappears. Let dry and seal skull.