i need some help on my bobcats, i have my cats commercially tanned but when i soak then up overnight in cold water and mount them i can never seem to get the hair to return to that fluffy state that they where when recieved them back from the tannery. i have tryed washing them with baby shampoo and then mount them and using compreessed air to fluff the hair. whats the secret?
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Alanb I never soak my hides OVERNIGHT.. All that I do is soak them in cold water with a handful of salt added for about 20 minutes then drip for 5 minutes then roll up skinside in put in a plastic bag and sweat in the refridgerator overnite. Never had anymore problems this way and when done mounting my cats, compressed air fluffs them up great!
Barry
soak the whole hide? just soak the head and paws and when they are soft enough then wet down the leather side of the hide with a sponge.
If they aren't completely dry when you mount you may run into a problem.I always make sure the fur is dry and just wet the leather side as needed to stretch and sew.