cleaning mounts
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: grubby
12-Feb-18
I'm just finishing up a drywall project. My entire house is covered in a fine film of dust. I'm going to be taking everything down and giving it a good cleanup. Does anyone know any good products to clean them up and keep them looking good?
From: Rock
12-Feb-18
I take mine outside and blow them off with my air compressor then wipe them down with a cloth and hair sheen which I get from my taxidermist.
From: Marvin J
12-Feb-18
Rock has it exactly right. I take my mounts down once a year and blow them off with approx 25 # compressed air to clean and then wipe with heavy amount of hair sheen on a terry cloth towel. Keeps my mounts looking great and some are over 30 years old. Makes a huge difference when people come over to see quality taxidermy.
From: Buyse
12-Feb-18
I swear someone said you could use wd-40. Anyone else hear of that. Spray on a rag and wipe down....
From: bow assassin
12-Feb-18
Buyse I know some trappers put WD-40 on their pelts to give them a nice sheen. Never tried it myself I was afraid it would effect the grade.
From: Franklin
12-Feb-18
WD is a universal cleaner....you can use Rubbing alcohol or odorless Mineral spirits too. Don`t go heavy with Hair sheens just use a little....too much and they will actually collect the dust and dirt....just like soaps will.
From: Buyse
12-Feb-18
Interesting Bow assassin. I believe a taxadermist told me that a few years ago. I might try it.
From: BigOk
12-Feb-18
X2 on Oderless mineral spirits.
From: 'Ike' (Phone)
13-Feb-18
Once a year, I take 'em outside and blow them off, and wipe horns and such down, clean the bases etc....
From: MathewsMan
13-Feb-18
Horse Sheen is the same stuff the taxidermy places sell. I use a q-tip with a dab of glass cleaner on the eyes every so often in addition to the blowing them off once in a while. I notice if I put the sheen on the rag and wipe too moist, that on the dark capes like Moose some crystals show up in the lighting on the animal... It makes them shiny be careful not to overdo it.
We do not have forced air in our home or my game room, but still get a bit of dust since we live on a dirt road.
From: buzzctman
13-Feb-18
Wipe them with a slice of white bread
From: SWOHTR
13-Feb-18
Paint brush sans paint.
From: Halibutman
13-Feb-18
I use windex. Works great. Super cheap. No problems with residue and a nice looking mount.
From: Genesis
14-Feb-18
I will hit mine with a little permethrin to keep dermestids in check also
From: grubby
14-Feb-18
thanks guys. for the record, I did not leave them in a construction area. anyone that has ever done drywall work knows that it seems to find its way throughout the entire house. i'll be happy when I'm completely done with this job. White bread? really? I bet the swiffers would work well. permethrin isn't a bad idea, all bugs love taxidermy. I did run into my taxidermist and he recommended "cowboy magic" which I think is horse sheen?
From: olebuck
29-Sep-20
i'm a taxidermist.
i will give you my "mount treatment" recipe. i treat all my mounts with this annually. and every mount that leaves my shop get this. If they are dusty - wipe them off or blow them off before applying.
1 bottle of rubbing alcohol 3 table spoons of horse conditioner ( skin so soft is better but harder to get) 1 table spoon of permethrin 1 teaspoon of citronella oil
put it in spray bottle and shake it up. lightly spray the hair and brush it in.
From: ahunter76
29-Sep-20
I use a feather duster & then wipe down with a damp cloth. I have some mounts 50+ years old & in great shape.
From: Knife2sharp
29-Sep-20
Instead of an air compressor to blow them off, why not a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment?
From: Scrappy
29-Sep-20
I use the leaf blower on mine then wipe down with damp clothe. I have to take them outside first, the wife won't let me fire up the leaf blower inside for some reason.
From: PK
03-Oct-20
my taxi says use horsesheen, that's what he uses and they look great.
