Cleaning Mounts

[huntingmaniac45]

Ok I respect you guys, hear is a question for you, wasnt sure what forum this should be under so if its in the wrong one sorry. I have a 30lb King Salmon mount about 6 years old, it was in my Dads house, and he smoked 2 packs a day, I am bringing the mount to my house and it needs some serious nicotene removal, any ideas on what I can gently clean it with. I called 2 taxidermy places today, and of course they both want me to bring it in. I am laid off from work and cant afford to take it to them, however i do have a lot of time on my hands, and a lot of patience, to do the work myself. Any suggestions?

[tedshunter]

Being you are laid off with not much extra money on hand I would mix up a mild batch of T.S.P. and start on the back of the mount just to make sure it does'nt do any damage.Also mix up the T.S.P. with warm to hot water.

[Ed Michrina]

I'd give the back side a try with regular old fantastic. It runs cigarette smoke off plastic parts in a vehicle It may not hurt the paint either. TSP is good stuff but anything you need to wear gloves using I'd be careful of removing any paint. you need a degreaser. If you had it in your area, Mikes marine is the only place that sells SD-40. In a blue spray can. -- you spray it on (use a soft brush) and wipe it off. Do not use water with it--- GREAT for boat seats and the best degreaser with little influence to delicate fabric like vinyl and leather. It runs about 8 buck a can. A little steep but Everyone should own a can. good luck.. like said before, clean a back or not viewed side. let it sit a day to totally dry and check for damage. Good luck.

[alex-v]

I called 2 taxidermy places today, and of course they both want me to bring it in. I am laid off from work and cant afford to take it to them, however i do have a lot of time on my hands, and a lot of patience, to do the work myself. Any suggestions?
I have a suggestion. Take it in to the taxidermist. That does not mean you have to leave it with him or her. Just take it in and let them look at it. Explain that you are temporarily out of work and want to try the restoration on your own. The taxidermists I have talked to have been really helpful when talking about their line of work.

You never know until you try. They might take one look at the mount and give you all the help you need to do it yourself. You might have to buy a can of something or another to do the cleaning but that certainly is a small price to pay for the advice and help that they could give you.

Or, go to the library and spend an afternoon or two reading up on taxidermy and related subjects. My kid did that and learned a lot about taxidermy and how to do it.

[Big Daddy Benelli]

I'd try soap and water first!

[huntingmaniac45]

Thanks guys for all the help, I mixed up a weak batch of simple green, in warm water, used a sponge and just gently washed it, it turned out very nice, no damage to the paint, man the dirt in the bucket was unbelieveable, that smoking thing is horrible, imagine what his lungs must be like:sad:

[crazyc]

well never seen 1 that dirty
once you get it clean just run it under the shower warm water and let air dry i have not had a problem yet..
clean about every month
\:rolleyes:

[GOTCHA]

I clean all my fish mounts with dusting pledge, never tried taking a shower with a 53"' Muskie before:D ;)