I bought a snake skin from an online store. The skin came tanned, not air dried. I didn't realize that it would make a difference untill "Dano" answered a PM I sent him.
Any one know what I need to use/do to remove the tanning solution from the hide before glueing it to a bow?
thanks AGAIN,
Ben
I did a search and found this, sorry this doesn't help a bunch.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=063316#000000
If it was glycerin tanned(antifreeze) you can soak it in denatured alcohol to remove some of the glycerin. Maybe washing it after wards with Dawn dish soap will help too.
Hey, at least I'm consistant! d;^)
What type of process is used that results in a suede like surface on the meat side of the skin? Sorry to derail the post..
Jim, that is actually tanned skin; leather. Now days it is usually chromeum salts used in the process. That kind of tanning is permanent. It will work as a backing but because of the thickness and absorbancy it can collect moisture if not sealed real well. It can, however be used for belts or as decorations for a quiver or other leather work.
Ben,
The best way would be to trade it to someone for air dried skins :D PM me if interested.
So, best bet may be to just soak it with soap/water; size the bow with a thin layer of glue; then just layer the heck out of it with the Tru-oil after the skin is put on and dried.
Maybe even spray it with some sort of spray-on sealer when finished. This won't be a hunting bow---my wife target shoots only--for now.
Jeremy, my wife would probably KILL me if I tried to trade off this skin----she found it on-line and is REALLY wanting this thing on her bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/bgeckle/yhst-91999600947566_2051_7981604.jpg)
So.......just hoping this will work, somehow.
Ben
Good luck Ben, I think the tru-oil will seal it well enough.
A guy has got ta do what a guy has got ta do. :bigsmyl:
Be sure to give the bow plenty of time after skinning it for any absorbed moisture to escape before sealing it. I'd place it in a dry area for a week or so before adding the finish.
I'll stick it back into the heat box to dry it out. It has been staying a pretty constant 90 degrees and can get it hotter with a higher watt bulb.
thanks guys,
ben
90 deg ought to be hot enough. A small fan inside the box helps to dry things out too.