Bleaching skulls

[WJS23]

Just wondering how long you guys normally let the bleach sit on the skull before washing it off?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

You don't use bleach to be clear, you use peroxide.

 

[Wapiti151]

Peroxide paste + the Clairol hair bleaching powder is what I use. I generally let it sit wrapped in a garbage bag for 24 ish hours and check. If I want it whiter, I wash it off…let it dry and do another coat for 24 more hours. Rinse and repeat until it’s as white as you want.

 

[WJS23]

Thanks, I’m using the paste.

 

[Marbles]

I use concentrated peroxide from Home Depot, soak until it is white or yellow. Yellow is fat and needs degreasing, which is a different procedure.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

40 volume peroxide, about a day in the sun is all. Don’t use bleach.

 

[camping1601]

40 volume a day or two depending on the temp.

 

[blacktail434]

I use concentrated peroxide from Home Depot, soak until it is white or yellow. Yellow is fat and needs degreasing, which is a different procedure.

I use this too. Although, I didn't realize Home Depot carried it. I pulled up my local one and sure enough, in stock!

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

Just did a Skull cap - boiled in a bucket with Borax and Dawn for 5 hours.
Saw another really good method of steaming.

Then saw where guys painted with glue to seal and 'whiten'.
Send some pics of your skull!

 

[Marbles]

Just did a Skull cap - boiled in a bucket with Borax and Dawn for 5 hours.
Saw another really good method of steaming.

Then saw where guys painted with glue to seal and 'whiten'.
Send some pics of your skull!

Too much heat and you will break down the collagen matrix in the bone and it will be chalky and fragile. For doing one for yourself, than as long as you are happy, who cares, but I'd be pissed if someone painted a skull to make it white for me, or needed to seal it due to chalkiness.

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

Oh yeah not for sale - I was thinking if you are doing it yourself.
If It was for sale I've seen some steam methods that looked really good, and they use dawn to help whiten and degrease, and Peroxide.

I was talking to a couple of folks locally wondering if there would be enough business to warrant a real setup for skulls, Euros and even buckhorn/skull cap mounts where I'm at.
Don't think the wife would like the beetles wo would have to be a boil/steam and clean.

 

[North of 60]

An equally stinky and effective method of removing tissue is maceration vs. boiling or beetles.

It is a good idea to make sure the fat is out of the bone with a warm dawn solution for 3 weeks to a month.

Then proceed to whitening.

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

For personal use I know quite a few folks who wrap the antlers to protect the color and bury the skulls in the woods as the bugs will clean everything off naturally. Up here in Interior Alaska I hear they do a great job if you bury it as soon as the ground thaws until right before it freezes.

For the maceration would you just let it sit outside covered?

 

[North of 60]

The process i'm familiar with is to soak the skull in water and let the bacteria decompose the tissue. I'll put a deer skull in a 5 gallon bucket with the horns out of the water, and change the water every 3-4 days and toss the tissue as it comes apart. Be patient and maceration occurs faster in warmer temps vs close to freezing as the bacteria are more active.

The smell is awful, but it preserves the thin sinus bones much much better compared to boiling.

Never tried using beetles...I'm too cheap when maceration works well.