Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: sailordad on January 31, 2011, 01:53:07 am

Title: question on snake skins
Post by: sailordad on January 31, 2011, 01:53:07 am

i have a project that i have been working on,a little here a little there
you know the routine,im sure most have a project like that

any hoo i put a piece of western diamond back skin on this project after staining the wood black to help bring out the pattern of the skin
well i still dont think the diamonds "pop" like i see on peoples bows.
would putting a sealer like tung oil over the skin help?
or what should i do to get them a little more vivid?
or could this just be how its gonna be
this was a realy old dried skin,guessing 30+yrs
got it from my neighbor.it belonged to her mom,she said she remembered it being in the house when she was a kid
it redhyrdrated nicely,and i did descale it

as always,any help is appreciated
and no i cant/wont post pics yet  ;) sorry

Title: Re: question on snake skins
Post by: El Destructo on January 31, 2011, 02:20:12 am

Tim.....if the Skin is this old...chances are the Colors are washed out...and will not come back....but it won't hurt to cover them with a good coat of Tru Oil...was this Hide tanned...or just dried?

Title: Re: question on snake skins
Post by: sailordad on January 31, 2011, 02:21:25 am

just dried

Title: Re: question on snake skins
Post by: M-P on January 31, 2011, 03:20:21 am

Hi,  Rattlesnakes vary widely in color, even within a species.  I suspect that El Desytructo is right and some fading has occurred as well.  Tung oil will brighten what colors are there.  1or 2 coats will brighten things up.  Multiple coats ( like ~ 6-8) will start to fill the scales and make the back glossy smooth.    Ron

Title: Re: question on snake skins
Post by: Pappy on January 31, 2011, 07:16:17 am

Usually sealer will bring the color out,most of mine look pretty dull until I put the sealer on them. :)
    Pappy