Euro Mount

[OftenOutdoors]

My daughter got her first deer earlier this season and she decided she wants a euro mount.

I’ve never had one done before (this is not something I can do at home so we are having someone do it for us).

I was asked if I wanted to seal it with mop and glo. From what I’ve read it will keep it from yellowing and will make it easier to clean in the future.

I’m inclined to go agree and do it. Any reason not to?

 

[KyleR1985]

I have found that across two dozen or so bucks I’ve killed and euro’d, there is a lot of difference in bone density and color.

Turns out the most symmetrical racks with the most mass have the highest bone density and “whitest” look after getting finished.

What does this have to do with your question?

If it’s a scraggly buck and the skull looks thin and discolored after boiling/maceration/cleaning, you may want some sort of sealant.

If it’s a healthy buck with good nutrition and genetics and the bone looks like something you could build machining tools out of, standard peroxide to bleach it, rinse it, hang it.

Removing the brain and eyes before it sitting in water will go a long way towards avoiding discoloration too. Fat=yellow.

I’ve not sealed any of mine.

 

[Dryfly1]

I think the mop and glo is applied to the horns not the skull. I may be wrong

 

[K9kodi]

I spray a dry skull w spray can clear. Keeps it from drying out

 

[CMF]

I personally wouldn't have done. And if you decide to, you should look at side by side comparison first.
I'm not sure I've seen one with mop n glo, but I've heard of it. I've seen several with clear and I don't particularly like it.
I've done a couple dozen over the years and only the oldest first couple I did have yellowed some, but I didn't put as much emphasis on degreasing back then.
Now I change the water and add dawn dish soap with each boil, 3-5 boils, less duration if doing more boils.

 

[OftenOutdoors]

I appreciate everyone’s responses. As it’s for me daughter I just want it to come out looking good.

It sounds like most people do not use it or any sealer.

ETA: I could always seal it at a later time.

 

[cusecat04]

not sure on the mop and glo...
I usually spray mine lightly with matte clear poly and it helps keep the dust/ finger oils out as they get handled by folks. Really noticed this helped when I had some in my office at work.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I use mop and glow on every Euro I do. Definitely seals them up and make them easier to clean later...I use the hair bleach power and paste from a beauty store to do the whitening...
The Euro below was shot 2nd day of season 8/16...It was still in velvet so I to skin it apply Velvalock and let it set in the sun for 5 days. Boiling it was a bespoke experience...but I hit with hair bleach, then mop and glow.

 

[CMF]

I usually spray mine lightly with matte clear poly and it helps keep the dust/ finger oils out as they get handled by folks. Really noticed this helped when I had some in my office at work.

Does it look less "painted" with the matte finish?
That's what I don't like bout the ones i've seen have all been gloss or semigloss and just doen't look natural. I like the idea of protecting it from handling and staining from being handled.

 

[taxidermybycam]

Some people use mop and glo on antlers to make it pop and flashy.
Mop and glo DOES NOTHING to help seal the skull or make it appear better. It's a slight thin acrylic. It could protect against micro scopic scratches. But nobody is taking there deer skull off the wall and playing with it to the point they need to seal it with a inferior sealer like mop and glo . Plus it's a gloss coat.

That said if you want the job done right let the pros do it . You don't want the stink and mess and trouble and chances of messing up your daughter's skull.
It's not too expensive. I know I charge 285 with wood.
That said
If you go the route of doing it yourself. If you want to seal it up . I hit it with matte clear coat in a spray can from Rust-Oleum. And then seal it with Elmer's glue thin thin coat. Then all you need to do in the future is feather dust it . That's it . There's no special sauce or crazy additives you need. It's barebones.
Skulls should be flat and matte finish and look natural ,you don't want a satin or gloss look to skulls.

 

[OftenOutdoors]

Thanks everyone. The guy that is doing this one said he doesn’t typically use mop and goo but he will if I want him to. He said he doesn’t typically use any spray on the mount.

 

[pirogue]

If he typically doesn’t use it, why even ask?

 

[brancher147]

Just depends what you want it to look like. Last one I did was with beetles and I didn’t want any bleach or any product applied to it because I wanted it to look as natural as possible. But some people like them bleached white or sealed.

 

[OftenOutdoors]

If he typically doesn’t use it, why even ask?

Because I spoke to two different guys. One uses it all the time and one typically did not use it but did not really have an opinion on it. I chose this guy because he was easier to get to (both were recommended and seem to do good work). So I have to make the decision and was looking for feedback from those that have used it in the past.

 

[OftenOutdoors]

Just depends what you want it to look like. Last one I did was with beetles and I didn’t want any bleach or any product applied to it because I wanted it to look as natural as possible. But some people like them bleached white or sealed.

Appreciate the response.