Any suggestions on what kind of hidepaste? I heard that you must use something thick for the wrinkles?
Return to Gamehead Taxidermy Category Menu
Some like epoxies, some like thick dextrine. I think it probably is best to pick one that has the qualities you like, learn what it can and can not do, then make it work for you. For some reason I keep going back to a really thick dextrine (I know George I am falling lol) for life-sized and I use Buckeye supreme for most game heads. I have learned these two products and they work best for me probably due to my weakness' not their qualities?
DaveT
As much as I loved the epoxy, I've come to realize that the NEW waterbased stuff is just as good if not better. (I was used to dextrine and I hated it.) These two give you ample time to work and IF you insist on all the wrinkles, then it give you a medium to use. I put wrinkles in oryx, gemsbok and even some small ones in kudu, but be honest, look at your reference pictures. They don't have that many wrinkles. I mount them and tack the back sides down overnight. Then I take a wallpaper roller the next morning and roll them. Most of those wrinkles disappear and you can add the ones that SHOULD be there. I wouldn't mount African with anything else but a good water based glue.
As much as I loved the epoxy, I've come to realize that the NEW waterbased stuff is just as good if not better. (I was used to dextrine and I hated it.) These two give you ample time to work and IF you insist on all the wrinkles, then it give you a medium to use. I put wrinkles in oryx, gemsbok and even some small ones in kudu, but be honest, look at your reference pictures. They don't have that many wrinkles. I mount them and tack the back sides down overnight. Then I take a wallpaper roller the next morning and roll them. Most of those wrinkles disappear and you can add the ones that SHOULD be there. I wouldn't mount African with anything else but a good water based glue.
As much as I loved the epoxy, I've come to realize that the NEW waterbased stuff is just as good if not better. (I was used to dextrine and I hated it.) These two give you ample time to work and IF you insist on all the wrinkles, then it give you a medium to use. I put wrinkles in oryx, gemsbok and even some small ones in kudu, but be honest, look at your reference pictures. They don't have that many wrinkles. I mount them and tack the back sides down overnight. Then I take a wallpaper roller the next morning and roll them. Most of those wrinkles disappear and you can add the ones that SHOULD be there. I wouldn't mount African with anything else but a good water based glue.
I use the dextrin hide paste from Van Dykes. It's what I used on my wildebeest at the world show last year. In their catalog it is recomended for african mounts. It's thick and fills in the wrinkles better than the others I've tried. I just finished up on a eleven African mounts for a customer using Vandyke hide paste. This included an eland and kudu which both have plenty of neck wrinkles. I also did an Ibex for him but used buckeye supreme on the face and the white buckeye hidepaste on the rest of the mount. I've used most hide pastes at one time or another.The main ones I use now is buckeye supreme and the other white hide paste by buckeye, also the dextrin based hide paste from Van Dykes along with different epoxies. They all serve different purposes when I'm mounting different animals. I don't think there is one do all hide paste. The thickness of the hair and hide,also drying conditions determines what hide paste is used. You don't want it drying down to fast. You end up using a lot of pins to keep things in place. The paste and hide have to dry down slow and even. It also has to dry slow enough so adjustments can be made the first day or two. The use of different hide pastes also will help someone that has to bag the mounts to keep them from drying to fast.
George
what are you talking about no wrinkles look at a kudu close! there are wrinkles eveywhere! big ones on the back ! Ive killed 2 so I have seen then up close and there are many. Next you will be saying Eland dont have any?
look at your referance!