A friend of mine has been experimenting with European mounts, on his own. His question is : When soaking the skull in peroxide/water mixture to whiten, do you keep the mixture for future skulls, or do you mix a new batch every time? After the whitening process, what is usually applied to the skull as a sealer?
Also, I have a question of my own. I've found some nice sheds that I would like to make into a horn mount. Is it possible, and how do I go about doing this?
Thank-You in advance for any advice.
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All this is in the archives, but peroxide is H2O2 and you should NEVER mix it with water. It's already diluted to some a great extent when you buy it. It IS water when exposed to the atmosphere. The second oxygen atom releases and it becomes H2O. That's why you can never, ever reuse it.
I have re-used 40 volume peroxide many times with great results. It needs a boost once and awhile with a fresh bottle, but it whitens just as good. I soak for 12 to 24 hours and pour back into the bottles and put the cap back on tight. I have been doing this for years now with no problems. Too expensive for a one time shot, for me anyway. I do cover the container with plastic wrap to slow down the evaporation...don't know if this is necessary, but it works for me.
I use either WASCO Fungicidal Sealer or satin clear poly, either one works.
For the shed question, in the same WASCO catalog or website, you can find either replica skull caps or shed connectors for using sheds for a horn mount or shoulder mount. Both work great. Good luck with all your projects.
BUT, you're not really arguing with me on this one. You're arguing with basic chemistry and physics. I didn't make those rules. You've just been lucky.
have reused peroxide with good results many a time. However, I have a plastic (dark) bin that I place skulls in with a cover and will also give it a boost of a new bottle every now and again too. You can tell when the peroxide will no longer whiten once you put in a skull and it doens't bubble. Then you know it's time to change.
I seal skulls with Elmer's white glue and water of a 50/50 mixture. works great.
Wolfie