Thanks, that does help! So you only coat the skull with mop and glo? I was under the impression that it gives just a light sheen that pretty closely matches what the antlers look like before getting washed.
For what I did, I only did a single boil with dawn (actually a simmer for several hours) and then the pressure wash. I have not done any degreasing as I'd wondered if it was necessary when it will be covered.
I'd thought of giving it a good saturation with acetone, maybe wrap a rag around the skull cap and keep it wet with acetone for a day. I don't think I want to submerge it unless I can get the bulk of the skull cap submerged without touchihg the antlers.
Yes, only the skull, and only one coat.
Mop n glo is glossy. The skull bone is porous, and will take a single coat and be a nice satin color. The surface of the antlers is much harder and will be much shinier than natural, almost like you put a gloss lacquer on them.
I googled and found this from a How-to Taxidermy for restoring shine to antlers. I bet it's a MUCH better solution having used linseed oil:
Formula #11: antler brighter Use to brighten and improve the appearance of antlers that are dull and lifeless-looking.
Mix 3 parts of turpentine and 1 part of linseed oil. Apply this to the antlers with a brush or cloth and rub off with a dry cloth.
I think horn is a much better candidate for coating because it's made of keratin and naturally very matte, so you'd be bringing it to a similar surface finish as the bone. Though I left my Aoudad's horns uncoated because I like the natural look better (seen it done both in person.)
To get back to what you're doing though, degreasing isn't totally necessary, especially if you have a skull cap of a cervid that isn't going to hold a ton of grease, but it could likely help with the smell. And I wouldn't mop n glo the skull cap if it will be covered anyway. I doubt it matters in this case, but from a model building background, I'm a stickler for bonding material to material (skull cap to shaping medium) without a layer of coating between to prevent full adhesion.
I would not put your antlers in acetone, as it will most likely lift the color and deteriorate the shiny surface more if left soaking. I'm not sure a rag soaked in it would do much good, as it would evaporate long before it had any meaningful effect. Also, be very careful about leaving open acetone on a rag in your house. It won't spontaneously combust, but is HIGHLY flammable.
For full euro mounts, I follow the Whitebone guy on youtube and it works very well. Dump water used for boiling meat off skull and refill with fresh water and about 1/4 container of baquacil ($26 at the pool store.) That same mix will whiten any new skulls for another month or two in case you have another animal, then you still have half a bottle for the second half of the season.
I would just leave it as-is and let it air out in the garage for a week, maybe leave it out in the sun one day if you can keep an eye on it, then check the smell again. I bet it will be gone and this will all be for naught.
