I'm wondering if someone has had experience in replacing eyes in a headmount that has been mounted for about 8 months. My customer isn't exactly happy with the eye color even though it is correct and would like them changed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, AJ
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You can redo it be taking some paper towel and wetting it down, placing it down on the eyes and wrap plastic over it. Let this sit over night, usually by the next day it will soften things up. From there you have to open it up, pull the eyes out, reset the new ones and reclay them back. Not easy but it can be done.
By the way whose eyes and what kind where they.
The only way I know is to dip the face in water until the face softens then you can scrape around the eye gently and remove the epoxy or wax and then dig the eye out apply new clay and reset new eyes , but my question and comment to you is,why if the eyes are correct does your customer want to change them . Sounds like you got a picky ,know it all customer,and you may be getting into a mess with this guy , what if the tanning doesn't hold up when you dip the head and falls apart? are you willing to spend several hundred dollars in replacing that cape? some jobs I just don't take specially with a customer so picky.
ESPECIALLY on African work. Show him your reference for having used the eyes that you did and inform him that if it is a matter of his personal preference, he needs to sign a NEW contract whereby he pays for the labor, agrees that the eyes will be of his choice, and that once attempted, you will bear no responsibility in case the hide disintegrates. And most of all MAKE HIM PAY UP FRONT.
i have replaced or reset eyes in the past and I used Franks basic method. It has worked for me. Just take your time and don't force them out and you will be allset.
I have to agree with Alex and George...what eyes did you use that the customer is not happy with? I haven't had this problem yet, but I offer each customer their choice of eyes (within real ranges of colour). Try this next time, but for now, let us know what eyes and what colour...on what animal so we can watch for this potential problem ourselves. Like George said...if its right, he should have to pay to get the extra work done...
Thanks for the responses guys. I don't get on the computer much so I'm sorry it took me so long to reply. The animal is a Blesbok and I used the Tohekan CC dark mouflan/dall sheep eye. That seemed to be the closest I could find to my reference photos. The reason my customer wants them changed is because his wife can't stand looking at the lighter colored eyes even if it is correct. I explained the potential danger of slippage and he is willing to risk it. Thanks again, AJ
Darn Wife, but I bet if she sees a guy with blue eyes she'll be drooling all over herself.