I am doing final finish work on an otter mount for a visitors' center for a NWR. I used the bottom form of Kruger's otter pair and attached a swimming bullfrog to it's muzzle. Since the scene is underwater, I want to do a permanent wet-look coating for the fur. I have checked the archives and really didn't get a good idea for a substance that will give me the effect I want but be permanent and relatively dust-free. Hair gel or similar products might be OK if the mount was going under glass but that's not possible at this time. I would be willing to do Envirotex or some similar process but realize it will be a one-shot try. It would be nice to hear from someone who has done a similar project and had good, permanent results. Thanks.
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Chris used hair mousse he purchased at Walmart. It will dry without being sticky or tacky, therefore will not collect any more dust than any other mount would on display. We have several of Chris' mounts on display in public places,including his otters. You will need to dust any mount periodically (once or twice a year at least) as they will get dusty. Just no way to get around that. You may reapply mousse to the otters down the road,if necessary, as long as they are clean and dust free prior.
Hope this helps,
Kindest regards
Mary
Mary, thanks for your reply. I talked to Jason Snowberger today and we came up with a couple of options that I'm going to try out on a mink or muskrat hide before I risk the otter. I use Polytranspar Wet-Look acrylic gloss on all my fish mounts and I'm going to try it and maybe Envirotex to see if I can get the effect I want and a permanent coating. I will be posting up my results, good or bad, once I come to a conclusion.
Envirotex works great,using a spray bottle with just water,wet the otter down until you get the look you want.then use you air brush to apply the envirotex.It does not collect to much dust,you will not have to do it again either.Also you can brush it out after it dries if you dont like the look you get ,Ive done it. May the force be with you.