Antlers vs. Sunlight
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Elk Assassin
03-Sep-19
Hola Fellas- Just a quick question that I hope someone knows something about. I have a deadhead elk that I want to display on the outside of my cabin. I am wondering if there is any product that will protect the brown coloration of the antlers from the sun. I know folks stain antlers to bring color back, but my question is, is there anything you can do to keep the antlers from losing their coloration in the first place. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
From: xtroutx
03-Sep-19
A spray can of clear polyurethane maybe.
From: Quinn @work
03-Sep-19
The polyurethane will flake off after a year or two or at least it did on mine.
From: fawn
03-Sep-19
Try a 50/50 solution of urethane and denatured alcohol. It will soak in leaving a natural look. I used it on my indoor mounts and keeps the antlers looking fresh, not dry. I don't know how well it will work outside, but you might try. It may be something needing to be recoated every couple years.
From: COHOYTHUNTER
03-Sep-19
Flex seal clear spray. That stuff works on everything!
From: Lost Arra
04-Sep-19
Helmsman spar urethane has worked well for me on exterior wood surfaces. I don't know why it wouldn't work on antlers. I seal my wood arrows and selfbows with it. I'm interested in that Flex Seal.
From: elkmtngear
04-Sep-19
I have some on my front porch, that have kept their color for 15 years. Clearcoated them with a spray can of Marine Spar Varnish.
Having said that, they are mostly in the shade all day.
From: TrapperKayak
04-Sep-19
My experience is that if they are in the sun, rain, and wind, they will bleach out o matter what you put on them, after a few years that is. Not as fast in the northeast and Pac NW as they will in dry climates like Montana and Utah, though, for example. There they will bleach out much faster in the sun. If you put it on the mostly side, it may gather moss after a few years too. Maintain it regularly (ie., once or twice a year), and it won't bleach or get mossy as fast.
From: TrapperKayak
04-Sep-19
mostly SHADY side that is...
From: Mule Power
04-Sep-19
Hard to stop the affects of Mother Nature. You could always restain them every so many years. Good luck.
From: Elk Assassin
04-Sep-19
Thanks for all the responses. I suspected there wasn't going to be any magic bullet, and it looks like you guys confirmed that. I'll likely try something to stave off discoloration as long as possible and then learn how to re-stain them when they ultimately do lose their coloration. I'm still all ears if anyone has any other suggestions though.
From: Grey Ghost
04-Sep-19
Sikkens Marine Varnish.
Matt
From: cnelk
04-Sep-19
Just rub in some plain ol dirt and then linseed oil
From: TrapperKayak
04-Sep-19
You could try applying/periodic re-applying alder bark juice to give them that "Rosie' look...if you have alder trees where you live. They (Rosie antlers) tend to hold their color quite a while, and have a rick orange-brown coloration.
From: Elk Assassin
08-Oct-19
Just a quick ttt to see if anyone else has any ideas.
From: Franklin
08-Oct-19
Marine Varnish.....x3. Did you ever see those fancy JFK type wood boats where you have to wear the Thurston Howell get up to drive. Those are protected with Marine Varnish.
