Thread: bleaching / whitening a skull

I'm just in the process of doing one, not quite 100% clean yet before a final degrease and peroxide.

It can be confusing as sometimes it is described as vol 20 (6%) vol 40 (12%) etc...TRADEME normally has a few examples although they seem pricey this year, I've normally got litre of developer for around $20 from memory.
Will have a look in a chemist but I think they will be more expensive.

Once your happy its clean and degreased put some protection around the base of the antlers, get a plastic tray that will fit the skull in and paint it on starting on the inside. Get into all the cavity. Put it somewhere warm, and leave it for 12-24 hours.
I normally do it before work then wash it off when I get home and let it dry fully before either settling with the result or giving it a bit more..I'm happy with taking a bit longer to get it right.

Good luck its rewarding and a good way of honouring your efforts on the hill and the animal.

Originally Posted by Smartie

I'm just in the process of doing one, not quite 100% clean yet before a final degrease and peroxide.

It can be confusing as sometimes it is described as vol 20 (6%) vol 40 (12%) etc...TRADEME normally has a few examples although they seem pricey this year, I've normally got litre of developer for around $20 from memory.
Will have a look in a chemist but I think they will be more expensive.

Once your happy its clean and degreased put some protection around the base of the antlers, get a plastic tray that will fit the skull in and paint it on starting on the inside. Get into all the cavity. Put it somewhere warm, and leave it for 12-24 hours.
I normally do it before work then wash it off when I get home and let it dry fully before either settling with the result or giving it a bit more..I'm happy with taking a bit longer to get it right.

Good luck its rewarding and a good way of honouring your efforts on the hill and the animal.

@Smartie what do you mean by final degrease?

Originally Posted by bigbear

@Smartie what do you mean by final degrease?

@bigbear

I may be mistaken, but @Smartie may refer to use of a detergent as any grease/fat may form a protective layer and prevent the peroxide from doing its job.

Originally Posted by Cordite

@bigbear

I may be mistaken, but @Smartie may refer to use of a detergent as any grease/fat may form a protective layer and prevent the peroxide from doing its job.

So give it a wash with warm water and detergent and let it dry before applying peroxide?

Originally Posted by bigbear

So give it a wash with warm water and detergent and let it dry before applying peroxide?

Yep pretty much that , warm/hot wash with detergent to get rid of any remaining fat/grease. I'll chuck up a photo of a few finished ones and a before and after of the one I'm doing now.