Been doing taxidermy now for 6 months...Have a bunch of really nice looking mounts, however the only thing that concerns me are my ears! I have videos that show them using hide paste, clay, bondo (ect)...What do you guys feel is the best way to do them...also what type of earliners do you prefer? Appreciate your response!
C.Smith
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hard to beat on gameheads, IMHO. I've tried other products, but I always come back to bondo. I am used to it, and to me it is very economical. I use Apoxie Sculpt on smaller mammals.
I love the looks of a quality earliner in a whitetail. I bondo'ed ears for years and swithch to liners. Now, it is hard for me to go back to bondo, but sometimes it is essential. Learn both and you will be a better taxidermists. Good Luck
If they don't make one to fit... I make my own.
Ear magic is absolutely at the very top of the list.
I found the best for me is an earliner covered in bondo about 1/8 of an inch. Slide in ear and sqeeze bondo into where the liner doesn't quite fit. Never had a problem and never have to worry about putting staple holes into ear. Use posterboard and paperclips to hold shape until dry.
they even sell it at wal mart (taxidermy section)
Earliners and Epo-Grip are a great combination and definately my #1 choice but there are simply times when bondo is the ticket..I always check the inside of a deer`s ear before I try to remove the cartlidge. If they are scared up from fighting I`ll leave the cartlidge in and use bondo..on small mammals I always use bondo..Epo-Grip is just simply amazing in earliners...I have tried about everything on the market and nothing can hold a candle to the performance of Epo-Grip 7 to 9 minute quick set...if you get drumming using Epo-Grip then you did something wrong..didn`t rough the earliners, and whipe the ears down with laquer thinner ect..Brad Epply earliners are hard to beat. I use the ones with the ear butt in them--I cut the butt off and use the deer`s actual earbutt...by doing this you can locate your ear in any position and have great looking inner ear detail...just my 2 cents
there is a little learning curve
but once youve done a few you can get it thinner than bondo
it wont ever drum if prepped correct
and those little rips and tears dont even have to be sewed
paul e
...5 years down the road. Bondo is a crappy choice in my opinion. It's not an adhesive and it certainly won't hold to a plastic earliner. I can imagine it NOT coming disBONDed down the road allowing your felt to drum.
I am in the process of mounting another...I bought McKenzie ear adhesive...How do you rate their product? Anything I need to know, or tips? Thanks for all your responses, you guys are great!
C.Smith
Goerge I use bondo with the fiber form earliners. Never have tried with plastic. Haven't had any problems. Do you think bondo will seperate from the fiber form liners?
I tried it and it kicked 24 hours later,mabe i got a bad batch
i use the bonded ear method.every ear turns out nice and thin.it works out better for me.ive tried both.ear magic is the same principle accept better ingredients.you get a thinner ear.its good stuff.