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Question about tanning

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by jimbo72, Feb 21, 2013.

  1. Feb 21, 2013 #1
    jimbo72

    jimbo72 Member

    63
    0
    N.W. Pennsylvania
    Hello all. I would like to get your opinion on which tanning agent to go with for my first attempt at mounting a deer head. Which would be the best one to start with, para-tan, lutan fn, liqua tan, Mckenzie tan. And as far as safety goes which one would be the less harmful.
    For pickling is one acid better then the other. Reading about the products in the catalogs they seem to be about the same. Just not sure which is the way to go with the first try.
    I would also like your opinion on the tanning oil.
    Is the ph paper or the salinometer more accurate in the readings.
    I just want to see what you guys are using and see what you have to say about them.
    Thanks
    Howie
     
  3. Feb 21, 2013 #2
    Lutzy3

    Lutzy3 Member

    46
    0
    I am new to taxidermy too...however I have used John Rinehart tanning cream with great results. It is quick and easy for a beginner and works great for deer heads. I have mounted several deer heads using it and had no issues.
     

  5. Feb 21, 2013 #3
    silverwings

    silverwings Member

    645
    2
    Central PA
    before you purchase something you need to have an understanding of the entire process, please seek out an appropriate DVD that explains it A-Z. This way once you have an understanding you can seek out the tools to do it with. :) Good luck and welcome to taxidermy!
     
  6. Feb 21, 2013 #4
    jimbo72

    jimbo72 Member

    63
    0
    N.W. Pennsylvania
    I have a dvd on tanning with lutan f just wasn't to sure if there is a fail proof system out there. I looked at the kits and looked and read about the different types. Just was curious if there was a certain type or brand that is more flexable for a beginner
     
  7. Feb 21, 2013 #5
    jimbo72

    jimbo72 Member

    63
    0
    N.W. Pennsylvania
    Is Lutan f or Lutan fn better or are they the same? Is ph paper or the salinometer more accurate. I can just use saftee acid for the pickle>
     
  8. Feb 21, 2013 #6
    sportsmen wildlife

    sportsmen wildlife New Member

    208
    0
    I have tried alot of "home" tans and to me lutan is a very good tan. Great stretch,no loss of epidermis, hair is tighter then any tan I have tried, complete tan, and has very low shrinkage when drying. A lot of instructions on lutan are flat out wrong. Do as Hudson said and go straight from the pickle to the tan, do not neutralize first, it WILL NOT TAN COMPLETELY. Go to Knobloches Chemical website, they have lutan instructions that are spot on.
     
  9. Feb 21, 2013 #7
    jimbo72

    jimbo72 Member

    63
    0
    N.W. Pennsylvania
    Thank you gentlemen for the information I greatly appreciate it. I also have 2 coon, a mink, and a few squirrel to practice mounting on. Would I use the Lutan tan on those to. Or just use the denatured alcohol on the squirrel. Thanks again for all the information.
     
  10. Feb 22, 2013 #8
    jimbo72

    jimbo72 Member

    63
    0
    N.W. Pennsylvania
    Thanks again. To me it would make more sense to tan them but then again I have never done this. I have only been reading and web serfing and reading and more reading trying to comprehend and understand the way to this. I have acquired about 30 vhs and dvds , the breakthrough magazines, taxi books and have assortment of different tools and stands. Now guess its time to put the scuba gear on and dive in
     
  11. Feb 22, 2013 #9
    jimbo72

    jimbo72 Member

    63
    0
    N.W. Pennsylvania
    Thank you I appreciate that. You can probably count on getting a im or two from me. I don't like to make mistakes and if I am uncertain of something I am not shy about asking the right way to do it. I would rather ask a question and do it right then to do it wrong and screw it up.
    Howie
     
  12. Feb 22, 2013 #10
    realdealsteve

    realdealsteve New Member

    68
    0
    I like to shave between the pickle and the tan. Check Trubond out, it's works likes Lutan and is a little cheaper, and they don't gouge on the shipping like you know who. I have used borax and water for little dudes like squirrels without a problem, though sometimes they need a mineral spirit massage after mounting in the absence of the pickle/degreaser step. I'm fairly new too so take it for what its worth, but I am passing on my mentor's knowledge and he has been tanning for a long time. Good Luck!
     
  13. Feb 24, 2013 #11
    nts2010

    nts2010 New Member

    278
    1
    Victoria / Australia
    Hudson, there is also another lutan, it is lutan B , virtually the same as fn, it just has a slightly different basicity , but getting back to the original question, I would suggest lutan f just make sure you have the correct instructions, basically work in this order , skin, salt , rehydrate, pickle, shave , pickle , tan ,basify ,rinse ,oil ,use . Good luck.
     
  14. Feb 24, 2013 #12
    neecf02

    neecf02 New Member

    95
    0
    I'm pickling for the very first time as we speak. I chose to go with saftee acid cause Amy said it was the safest acid for pickling as far as burning your hands (not that I plan to dunk my hands in it). And sounded like it still did a good job. You can read her info here: http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,56668.0.html . But I can't say for sure which is best pickle and tan because this is my very first go round at it.