I mounted a rattlesnake and the skin on the head came off as well as a small section on the body. anyway to fix the scales so they are raised again?
i still have the alginate i used for the mold and have tried putting silicone in it but the dampness keeps the silicone from sticking.
i was also thinking of trying to use modge podge to recreate the scales.
i did a search but couldn't find anything.
thanks
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That's a tough one.It seems like the first place to slip scales is the head.Did you make an alginate mold of the snake over the skin.Alginate contains water and water can cause scale slipping.When casting bodies,I skin the carcass,set it in position,spray with a coat of laquer,then mold it with #1 grade molding plaster.I let the mold dry for several days,seal it,wax it several times and then pour foam in.After the foam sets,I break the plaster off and trim the excess foam from the belly.I wouldn't use modgepodge,it's too shiny.You may be able to try a thin layer of epoxy putty and sculpt in scales,but you really have to be a good sculptor to pull this off without making a mess.You could make a texture mold by pouring bondo or plaster into your alginate mold.Pull this out and paint with several layers of liquid latex,like Mold Builder.About 10 layers should do.Peel this off your bondo head and you have a texture mold that can be moistened and pressed into your thin layer of epoxy putty.Then you have to paint it to match.Good luck with it.