My fiance found a beautiful pair of Elk antlers in an old barn of his. One is a five point the other a spike. He figures they are from a relative that got them in the 60's. My problem, I want to clean them up so we can hang them what is the besy way? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Just try scrubbing them down with soap and water using a brush. If they have a varnish on them then try using some strippers from Wal-Mart.
Varnish? That brings up another question, there is no varnish on them , after I clean them should I put a coat of varnish on them?
Misti
I would not varnish them, however that is personal preferance. After you get them cleaned you can just clean them with furniture polish in the future to keep them clean. If you add varnish after years they seem to turn a yellowish color and lose their natural color.
Bojack
Once you get them cleaned...use Armour All just like you would on your car's dash...it will give one of the nicest finishes you can find...it doesn't attract dust later and is easily redone at any time later without waxy buildup, common to most furniture polishes...but never...ever use varish...
Furniture polish is was and ArmorAll is silicone. I use 50/50 linseed oil/turpentine. The same substance, though refined, that whitetails get on their antlers from pines, hemlocks, and spruce trees. Paint it on, wipe it off, and with 30 minutes or so it will have dissolved into the antler giving it a natural look. I wipe my antlers down every year doing this and they still look "brand new".