freezing after measuring dry tanned cape

I am soaking up 2 dry tanned capes tonight to get the measurements of them to order the forms. The rehydrating instructions call for 1 pound of salt to every 5 gallons of water. I have to freeze the cape untill the order arrives. I am afraid since there is salt in the rehydrating solution the cape will not freeze or partially freeze. I had a problem with a fox once, i had salt directly on the hide and i learned after i couldnt salt and freeze and it was no good. Is it ok to freeze after rehydrating? Thanks

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I Do It All The Time

But I never use salt when rehydrating the tanned capes. My usual proceedure is to rehydrate, freeze, thaw and prep for mounting, measure and then refreeze until the form comes in.

Matt

I don't use as much salt as you, I use a small handful for 5 gal. of water. I usually rehydrate, prep, sew holes, measure, then freeze. Don't worry about the little bit of salt residue and freezing. I have never had problem with a tanned hide. Now if you salt and freeze a raw hide, that can be another story.

Freezing

I always hydrate the cape before ordering the form. I don't use a full pound of salt, maybe a third of the container. Stir it up real well then soak the hide for a couple hours. Drape it over something to let the excess water drain off, and throw it in the fridge over night. The next day lay it out and get your measurements. Then throw it in the freezer. The cape will freeze hard as a rock.

The reason for the salt is to prevent "acid swell" in the cape.

The salt does prevent acid swell...

and there should be no reason that a tanned cape or skin should be damaged from not freezing with a small amount of salt. The contents of the skin probably has some salt in it already from the tanning process. There is no way they get it all out through their rinsing process. The small amount you reintroduce will not prevent it from freezing but might allow for faster thaw times when you pull it back out to mount it. You said it yourself, it is TANNED. If the process was properly done there should be no further cause for concern regarding slipping.