Tanned Snake Skin Question

[clewis]

I have a single rattler skin about 40 inches or so however it is tanned and feels greasy, my gut tells me I'm wasting my time using it for a backing. Any thoughts?

[Pat B]

They were probably tanned with antifreeze(glycol) and the glycerin is the slick feel. It will prevent glue from sticking. You might be able to soak them in denatured alcohol to remove the glycol but I've never done it.
 Dried skins are the way t go.

[clewis]

That sounds like more work than I'm willing to put into it lol Its all good I picked it up from a farmers market of all places. The guy I purchased it from was quite eccentric, selling everything but food! From obsidian needles to home remedy`s. I was surprised he didn't sell any snake oil cure all's, just meeting him was worth the fifteen bucks.

[bubby]

I have used them after tanning in glycerin, soak in dawn soap and water for a while then rinse till the soap is gone using your fingers to help rub any residue off, the ones i used are still on the bows

[DC]

Glycerine and glycerol are both water soluble so soaking them in water should do it. A little Dawn never hurts but then you have to rinse that out. I just did a search to find this so don't take my word for it. Some chemical thing may happen between the glycerol and the skin.

[JonW]

I have used glycerine treated skins before. Like bubby said, wash with some Dawn soap and rinse well. No problem.

[gutpile]

same here I washed mine in warm dawn water rinse very well..then I let dry...still on bow and actually some of the best skins Ive seen...gut

[clewis]

Thanks for the input, Ill give it a go this afternoon. I've used tb3 for rawhide backing, should work with snake skins all the same?

[bubby]

Tb works great on skins

[sleek]

I used em too. Water and a touch of dawn with a fresh water rinse does great. TbIII is the best glue to use in my opinion.

[lebhuntfish]

Wash and glue.  Like it was already stated.  Works great.

Patrick