I'm a fairly new taxidermist and have had no luck rehydrating salted skins that I've bought. Every one of them has slipped excessively when I rehydrate them. I rehydrate them in a solution of cold water and salt with a little bit of Kemal-4. I have bought through some reputable people, so I,m sure it's my mistake. PLEASE HELP!
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Try to help us help you better...how dry were the capes, how long did you soak them, well water or "city" water, how much salt, early or late season cape, etc. One of us here will do our best to help.
Bill, almost all the capes were flint dry. They were mostly late season capes and a few small mammals. I used one lb of salt per gallon (city water) and an ounce of Kemal-4. I soaked them for 2 -3 hours. Thanks in advance.
Temperature of water?
Did you add a bacteriacide?
Did you stir?
Metal or plastic receptacle used for rehyd.?
Did you buy crap from reputable people? such as... re-re-re packaged frozen squirrels, 3 year old flint dried groundhog, etc. Everyone has low end stock that they sell off cheap, it's just that some don't talk about it.
Being that you are fairly new to taxidermy, why not send your skins to a tannery. You will be busy enough studying reference and anatomy of the animals you are mounting. Tanning can be very complicated and sometimes we can't control certain aspects of it, IE temperature, PH, Mold and Bacteria. These things can all be controlled but not in every envirenment. Ex. It is so hot where I live I don't think I could keep the temperature low enough to control bacteria and mold growth. It also requires extra space. Something I can never get enough of. Anyway try a comercial tan and see what results you get. Beats replacing capes and skins
Tony F
I think you are doing everything correctly. I dont see anything that points toward slippage. I think Id have to blame the specimens...its possible. Try this. Get specimens green frozen and start from there. Also, try putting directly into a pickle solution and see what you get. Salted skins dont slip in three hours. Not quality ones, anyway.
Thanks for all the help.