Snake skin scales

[coaster500]

I got a set of Copperhead skins from snakewood3...  I have done some searches here and am not completely satisfied with the information...

My question is, how do you remove the scales without damaging the skin or should I just leave them on?

[Pat B]

Try to rub them off the dried skins with your hand before glueing the skins down. Once glued down you can use masking tape and blot the surface to remove the scales(actually dead skin).

[Roy from Pa]

I stretch the skin out on my bench first before glueing it on the bow. I clamp the ends down with wooden block, then put masking tape on the whole skin. When you peel the tape back off, a lot of the scales will come off. I keep doing that till all the scales are gone. Seems like the skin goes on the bow easier/smoother with the scales off first.

[snakewood3]

Those copperhead scales should come off easily. Be careful whatever method you use as copperheads are thin skins and can be damaged particularly if wet or damp.

[jsweka]

Steel wool also works well at removing scales once the skin is applied to the bow and dry.

[coaster500]

Thank you another first for me...  looks like the masking tape might be the safest. I'll give it a try.

[Osagetree]

I glue my skins on first and let them dry well. Then rub my my thumbs against scales to address the majorty of scales, I finish up with clear packing tape until the tape pulls clear with no scales on the tape.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

You can also use an air hose (with little air pressure). I was using the steel wool method but I think tape is what I will use from now on.

Also read some where (here I think) That if you go from head to tail you won't pull as many little skin burrs at the point of each scale.

Stiks

[Eric Krewson]

Duct tape, lots of stickum.

[Roy from Pa]

Very neat idea Eric.

[coaster500]

Slow as I am, that's an explanation I can understand  

Nothing better than a picture, thanks Eric!!

[Eric Krewson]

The scale removal picture is an exception to the way it usually works out. I can get the majority of the scales with the first tape application but will have to locates the few remaining scales and blot them up with more tape.

Be sure to pull your tape off head to tail on the skin or you might raise some small projections that will prevent a perfectly smooth surface when it comes time to apply finish.

[ordcorpdw]

Hope I'm not hijacking but this sorta goes with the topic. I have a snakeskin backed bow I got passed along to me. The skin is a little rough like the scales were removed in a less than desirable manner. Best method to smooth it out? Tru-oil over top to seal it? Thanks and sorry.

[blacktailchaser]

i am with eric..i use duck tape but i touch it on my hand so that it isnt so sticky and do any damage to the skin...john

[Eric Krewson]

If your skin is rough and already has some finish on it you can sand it lightly with some 600 grit paper. By lightly I mean not more than the weight of the paper. I go back and forth, add a coat of tru-oil let it dry, sand a little more add more tru-oil and so forth until I have an almost smooth skin.

Be very careful on thin skins like copperheads, you can sand through the pattern in a heartbeat.

[ordcorpdw]

Good stuff!!

[Beanbag]

What he said...