I have a problem and I want Mr. Rittle to help me or anybody who knows. I wanted to try lacquer thinner as degreaser (as an experiment). I did this but the mistake that I made was that I did not wash the skin with detergent in oredr to wash blood before washing with thinner. Now blood clots have become permaent and I have been trying to remove these clots with acetone, choloform but all in vain. Is there anything to wash these stains. Should I try chromic acid with pH 4.0 or anything else.
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NO WAY!
Chromic acid used to be used as a glass cleaner for chemistry labs. It oxidized everything organic and got the glass extremely clean. Since hides, hair and blood are organic it would also oxidize them quite well. Your hide would most likely fall apart. Your best bet is to use soap and water. The blood should have been removed first.
Then there is the problem of disposing chromic acid. Since it contains chrome, a heavy metal, it must be disposed of in accordance with EPA regs.
Check it out at http://www.elisha.com/epa_reg.html
I'm ASSSUMING here now, but I assume Mr. Haider does NOT live in America. I sure hope not.
Lacquer thinner is NOT A DEGREASER, it's a solvent. Neither are the rest of your chemical concoctions. SOAP AND WATER will both dissolve the grease as well as displace the blood clots. I'm really surprised you haven't blown yourself up by now using some of that stuff you mentioned.
Should be all the warnings that you need to see....
Pay particular attnetion to the word "regulated". The pharses carcinogen (causes cancer)and "holes in the bone" might also catch your eye.
You need a product that is extremely sensitive to protein stains - like Blood! Our Blood-Eater is an excellent product for that purpose. But - it is usually recommended to be used as a relaxer and blood remover in your rehydration bath prior to pickling! Also I'm not sure what type of "clotting" you are describing. If its the area of truama around a bullet hole - you may not be successful - with any product!
Yes Mr. george you are right. I am not a resident of America. I am a resident of Pakistan. Neither taxidermy schools nor taxidermy supply houses are available in Pakistan. I have been doing bird taxidermy since my childhood but started with big game this year. I have been washing bird's skins first with acetone and then with some detergent since long and quite successfully. I believe I am the only taxidermist in Pakistan who likes to wash skins.
Lutan-F, Dawn degreaser, and things like Epo-Grip can not be imported. I have to try to develop my own standards. I hope u all would like to help people like me.
Taxidermy is obviously an ancient art and is being done all over the world. In this part of the world, latest techniques are being heard but not being done. Hope to hear some good response from you guys.