I just started getting into trapping and I'm expermenting with squirrels. I cought one and I skinned him and bought some tanning solution. I followed the directions on the back. They said to roll it up in salt for 2 days, then soak it in saltwater, then flesh it. I did that and know the hair is falling out. I tanned it with the soultion, and it's hard as a rock! I think salt got on the hair and made it fallout, but why is the skin still hard? I just left it over night. I really do want to learn this tanning stuff. Help!
P.S. I used a pressure washer to flesh it. I don't have a fleshing knife.
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I have used the product, and have had mixed results. I used it once, and hated it, but I am now starting to like it. You need to be careful when you apply the formula to the hide, dont get it on the fur. Also read the instructions very well. I have started tinkering with ways to tan hides using the stuff. I found when you pickle (put the hide in the salt water soultion) add some of the formula to the water and salt. Also rise and degrease with soap very well. You may need to wash and rise serveal times.
Another big thing I found, is flesh and take off as much membrane, meat, and skin as possible. That will make your hide stiff, and tough in spots.
Please dont get discouraged. You have only done this once or twice, you have a lot to learn about the product.
I can only suggest you take extra procations well tanning. Salt it for a day longer, and re salt a few times, Wash VERY VERY WELL! And dont apply the formula to the fur, only the flesh. Also I haven't been rolling up my hides, I have just been letting them sit, and they have turned out fine.
You said about the hair falling out. Did you do it the wrong way? I read on my bottle that there is two ways to tan a hide, hair on. (For furs, and pelts,) and hair off, (For leather.) Maybe you did the hair off way.
Also make sure you measured the right amount of salt, and water.
Did you heat the formula like it said to? That makes a difference.
Did you use warm water for the parts you were suppose to?
Also, it may have been because you kept the hide out in a warm area for too long. Try to keep the hide as cool as possible, or even frozen until you tan.
Try it some more, and you may turn to like it.
If it doesn't work after awhile order a taxidermy supply catalog and buy a tanning kit.
Hope this helps!
Curtis
Living Edge Taxidermy
http://www.freewebs.com/living_edge_taxidermy
There are way too many products on the market to guess what process you used, and exactly what the problem was. But it seems there are way to many people putting way to many steps into this. As I said I may not be familiar with the product you are using. And it recommended procedures. But Here is how I tan. Skin turn, and flesh the animal. you do not need any special tools to do it. Just a good knife you are comfortable with. salt the hide and let stand over night, to drain off bacterial Moisture. Shake excess salt off then pickle, No need to re-salt, and dry if you pickle right away. Be sure salt, water. and pickling agent are in proper ratios, and have proper pH. Re flesh hide to remove excess membrane. Not much required on a Squirrel. then Neutralize. Place in tanning solution for recommended Time. Again Be sure of ratio, and pH. remove from tan. Stretch and oil. The oil is what helps the hide stay soft. when The hide begins to dry remove from stretcher, and break, By pulling the hide over a baseball bat locked in a vice, stretch again and oil. Break again, then tumble in a tumbler with corn cob grits, or sawdust. and a few golf balls. You will have a soft hide ready for what ever you intend to do with it.
I have seen many post on using pressure washers, and I have tried a couple of time but the mess and I alwas wind up with a face full of gunk. As you said you are beginning at this so ...use techniques which are not claimed to be fast. This work is like exercise proper technique everytime will built up your skill don't cheat yourself by using questionable techniques. I know there are folks who use pressure washers and do a real good job and that good for them. But I bet they initially learned fleshing with a knife and beam first.
Sorry for my rambling, just remember plain water and fur "is bad".
Salt, resalt and dry, Pickle, shave pickle, Neutralize, wash towel dry at least, Oil tumble mount or freeze. These are proven techniques used by the best.
Jim M.