When boiling a skull in sal soda to help remove the meat does it hurt to let the antlers get in the water (Discoloration Etc.)
Thanks Bill
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yes it does - keep the antlers out of water
I'll keep em out.
the antler burrs, take some walnut, or any dark stain, and dab it on with a q-tip until you have restored the color. Just keep working with it, wiping off excess, and you will be be able to restore the color.
You can also wrap aluminum foil around the bases to minimize color loss.Joeym is right tough,it's no big deal to bring back if you need to.
I've had the same problems with Sal Soda too Bill. Soda Ash is Great for boiling off meat, but that tends to be a problem As replied to you earlier, the best way to do it is wrap in alum. foil(I go one step further, & wrap that with electrical tape) and try your "best" to keep them above the boiling water.
But if you do get some "bleaching", don't fret it. You can re-stain with Potassium Permanganate Stain, sold by Research Mannikins for $2.75. It is cheap and stains better than most other stains I've tried. The directions for use are in the catalog(they do not come with it). I have used this on several bleached out sets of anters to restore for customers, with great results! It looks the most natural of all. I tried it on an old set of horns first, to see how it would look. It goes on with a purple coloring to it, but quickly dries to a "natural" antler coloring. To darken more, just coat again after dried. Can also darken with Antler Stain #1 or #2, for a more reddish-brown or chocolate brown finish. I like these for staining re-built broken tines that I've done. Good Luck!
Angelo