hippo cape dry and cracking

Submitted by jeremy on 01/21/2004. ( ) 68.192.187.157

another brilliant ebay purchase, I got a hippo cape that is dry/stiff/ and slightly cracking. if I bend the snout area it cracks. supposedly it was tanned by Jonas bros some years back. it can be ripped. and the ears are hard as a rock along with the eye areas.
my question is am I screwed or is there a way to salvage. It does not need to last, so mainly can I soften it up , and I dont care if it falls apart a year from now. (want to mold it)
thanks
Jeremy.

Return to Lifesize Mammal Taxidermy Category Menu


I've got

This response submitted by john on 01/22/2004. ( ) 66.190.41.56

one just as bad or probably worse, cracked and numerous holes. i've never done a hippo and am excited at the prospect of getting going on it. I'm just going to hydrate and sew what I can and was thinking of using scuplt epox or something similar to fill in the holes and cracks and blend. any other advice? Thanks John


I left out all the holes but I have them too

This response submitted by jeremy on 01/22/2004. ( jermh1@juno.com ) 68.192.187.157

I was figuring on mounting then using sculpting epoxy or most likely clay to fill the holes. (just needs to last long enough to make a mold), my concern is if it is already tanned how will it hydrate, or what should be used to hydrate it(oils ?)


I'm

This response submitted by john on 01/23/2004. ( ) 66.190.41.56

probably going to call a tannery that handles african game, i'll e-mail you when I get an answer. John


Return to Lifesize Mammal Taxidermy Category Menu