Thread: bleaching / whitening a skull

Thanks all I must do a few of mine in the shed:-)

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This is Sika from a week or so ago, had a bit of a hold up currently waiting for the peroxide developer (none available in store locally)

At this stage I've boiled it and pressure washed it. When I'm not working on it I leave it in water to soften anything left over.

Next step will be a final hot wash off then paint peroxide product on until it has reached a nice white.

An update to previous.

The peroxide developer arrived via courier today, I'm home after nightshift so an ideal time to finish this skull.



I have not used this brand before so its a bit of an unknown - It came in a box ideal to apply the peroxide to the skull preventing arguments when the boss arrives home.



I gave it a bath it hot water to remove any remaining grease/fat and I think having it warm opens up the 'pores' of the skull a bit to aid the peroxide penetrating it.( just my opinion and I'm no expert)



Protect the base of antlers from accidental contact, it can happen. I just used tinfoil and glad wrap..would have used tape but have none right now.



I pour some developer into and over the skill and then use a brush to get into all the small spaces. Probably use around 150 - 200mls. What drops off is caught in your container/box and re applied.



If it was a warm day I would place in the sun, today I have just used the hair dryer on warm a few times every so often to help it along and left it in the garage.




Been an hour or so now, will give it a bit more time and see how it looks.

Spot on mate

Just come in from giving a head a scrub. Going to let it dry of and see if i need to give it a once over. Lession learnt to spend more time when boiling and use a pressure washer. Is looking better with a wash.

Originally Posted by JoshC

Spot on mate

Thanks Josh.

Slow day here...so after about two hours total ,washing, application and curing of developer I have just rinsed it off and placed outside to dry.







I cannot remember how long I have left them in the past with other product but this "bio" product seems pretty strong and fit for purpose.

Last step will be giving it a dose of Danish oil on the antlers once its all dry.

Cheers

Sweet came up mint. Consider sealing your skull with a mix of PVA and water. I do, don't know if it helps or not, but skulls I did several years ago still look mint.

Can you seal the antlers with any think to stop them fading?

Originally Posted by bigbear

Can you seal the antlers with any think to stop them fading?

Probably comes down to where you store them. I have sets that are 10years old and still look mint - I put Danish oil on them once a year or whenever I'm thinking of them, still dark as the day they were shot.

Originally Posted by bigbear

Can you seal the antlers with any think to stop them fading?

Keep them away from direct sunlight and weather and they should stay dark for years.

shit that's mint , I going to have a crack at it myself with that technique

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Need to be careful with that because it's basically a strong alkali/chlorine and will actually chew into the bone and pit it if made up too strong or for too long

I stand to be corrected but the Baquacil range is a hydrogen peroxide product, rather than chlorine.

I have just done a Sika for my daughter.
slow boil then water blast . Another boil with a dishwasher tablet in the water blast again then back in the water for another half hour. A final wash then out in the sun to dry.

Thanks for the info will now follow the steps
awesome

Really helpful thread, thanks.