Craftdiggity
Member
What causes the ends of the skin to turn dark while curing? This just happened to me with two different skin types, but it never happened to me before. How can I avoid this?
Snake skin casting question
- Thread starter Craftdiggity
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its_virgil
Member
I assume by saying "the ends of the skins" you mean the skin at the ends of the tubes. The longer you cast skins the more little "anomalies" you will encounter...strange and unexplained. Some skins do not work as well as others. A couple of things I do or have done is apply a coat of CA to the skin and allow it to cure for a couple of days. This is done prior to casting and after the skin is glued to the tube. I have also used Mod Podge but I was not totally satisfied with the results. I have excellent luck with CA. I have also used clear acrylic fingernail polish to seal skins prior to casting.Happy casting.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
PS: Do you know how the skins were tanned? chemicals used?
Do a good turn daily!
Don
PS: Do you know how the skins were tanned? chemicals used?
Craftdiggity
Member
No, I don't. I have not had this problem before even with these same skins either. I did however, try the CA idea before, but that turned the whole skin black, like it burned it or something. Is that because of a chemical in the skin or something?
its_virgil
Member
I can't say for sure but my feeling is yes. I have purchased various skins and when they were cast the skin turned black and was even unrecognizable as snake skin or lizard or alligator or ostrich or.... The skins I use are tanned with alcohol and glycerin and they work fine. I have stopped using skins unless I know how they were cured/tanned. I would suggest trying the nail polish. I have also used several coats of lacquer on top of skin...but it was not cast. Maybe lacquer will help.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Do a good turn daily!
Don
seamus7227
Member
When I tan my skins, I use 99% Glycerine and 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. When i cast, I use heat on the resin, mold, and tubes. Results= flawless. I have studied and tried just about everything to get the perfect blanks, but as Don said, If you dont know how they were tanned, then that could be the main variable that is your setback. Have you considered learning to skin and tan on your own? it is very easy, just time consuming and not for the faint of heart.
Craftdiggity
Member
I wouldn't know where to begin skinning a snake, let alone getting snakes to skin. Is it possible to take the skins I have and prepare them with the alcohol/glycerine method?
seamus7227
Member
Chris,
are your skins supple and soft? If so, then, no need to re-tan them. The problems may be in the casting process. would you be willing to send me a piece big enough to cast on a sierra so I could see if I have the same results?