I will be trying the lutan f tanning method for some small game. My instructions tell me how to mix the oxalic acid for a pickle solution and such , but It does not tell me anything about washing the hides. Would you wash degrease them at all?. I would like to wash them but when would I do it?. Would I do it in the 1st stage which is rehydrating in cool water? I was washing them with TIDE still a good idea
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Wash your hides after they are rehydrated and than go to your pickle,I'm assuming you salted first.You don't want to leave a skin in a soapy solution for any length of time,so just wash after rehydration just before throwing into the pickle.
If you wash your hides pior the pickle make sure and really make sure you rinse them well. That detergent can and will cause you havoc in trying to keep the pickle stable.
Now what most do if you need to degrease your hide pickle for three days shave and then degrease. Rinse well and return it to the pickle for another day. From there, neturlize, tan, oil, and then before I mount up a hide I wash it in Pert shampoo and rinse well.
Kemal4 is a great rehydrator and degreaser. wash in this, shave and pickle you will find great quality in your hide.
I always wind up with a bunch of salt and crud on my tanned capes so I wash good before mounting.