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Degreasing Horse

Discussion in 'Skulls and Skeletons' started by JRose, Feb 6, 2015.

  1. Feb 6, 2015 #1
    JRose

    JRose Member

    494
    2
    Idaho
    Any tips on putting some umph on the degreasing process for a REALLY greasy horse skeleton? I've drilled out the marrow from the legs. Using basic warm water and dawn, but it's just not kickin' it.
     
  3. Feb 6, 2015 #2
    joelamping360

    joelamping360 Member

    108
    0
    Try some ammonia
     

  5. Feb 6, 2015 #3
    Sea Wolf

    Sea Wolf Well-Known Member

    14,141
    2,263
    Taxachusetts
    Ditto on the ammonia. I have a percheron skull that was literally dripping oil. I filled a bin with 10 gallons of hardware store ammonia and just topped it off with enough water to cover. Walked away and let it sit there for about 4 months. Grease free and now in the livingroom. To drive out a lot more of the grease, lay all your bones in a container that will hold them. You will probably have to do this in batches with a whole skeleton. Heat a large quantity of water to boiling. Get a sturdy outdoor burner and get a smaller galvanized trash can on top of it. Possibly a turkey fryer but it will not hold the weight of a larger can. Or else a lot of big stock pots on top of your stove. Boil a large amount of water and pour it in on top of your bones. Before you pour in the water, add about 2 cups of Dawn detergent. More if you have a lot more water/bigger container. Make sure the detergent is completely mixed and just pour the boiling water over the bones. Let it sit until cooled off. If the container holding the bones is insulated they will sit in hot water for a little while longer. Ideally, a taller barrel would work as you can stand the long bones on end. The really hot water will melt out any remaining marrow and the detergent will help break it down so it doesn't get all over the other bones. This is not boiling the bones and it will not hurt them. If you drive out a really large quantity of foul stuff you might want to repeat it.

    After you have done this and forced out most of the surface grease this way, then soak them in ammonia. I would bother doing this with just a skull but you have an entire skeleton to work with. Make sure all your bones are drilled through and stand them all on end with the holes vertical if you can.
     
  6. Feb 18, 2015 #4
    JRose

    JRose Member

    494
    2
    Idaho
    Awesome idea on 'melting' the marrow. I'd been degreasing for about 6 months before someone recommended drilling the marrow out. Looked like canned cheese :/ I'll never forget that!

    I've got heated 100 gallon bins I can put the skeleton into and heat it anywhere from 90 to 170 (though I keep them at 90). I might get away with standing them verticle if I packed them tight so they can't fall over. I could heat the water to 170 and then shut the heaters off, submerge the bones, and let them sit.

    Any more economical way of using ammonia aside from purchasing 50 1 gallon jugs from walmart? :p
     
  7. Feb 18, 2015 #5
    akvz

    akvz New Member

    641
    5
    Texas
    Buy 25 1 gallon jugs from ACE Hardware and add 25 gallons of water. :)
     
  8. Feb 19, 2015 #6
    Sea Wolf

    Sea Wolf Well-Known Member

    14,141
    2,263
    Taxachusetts
    Yeah. The stuff from the hardware store is unbelievably strong stuff. It's what I used on the horse skulls I have here. You can also use a smaller container and do the bones in batches. Will take longer to do that way though.
     
  9. Feb 25, 2015 #7
    JRose

    JRose Member

    494
    2
    Idaho
    lol!

    Good point, good point. I'll look into that :) Thank you!