uh oh-snakeskins discoloring

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ZanderPommo

ZanderPommo

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Messages
1,511
Location
Tenino, Washington
I'm in the process of casting up some snakeskin blanks and it looks like the skin is discoloring.:mad:
im casting both cobra and prarie rattler.
its hard to tell if the rattler is discoloring but the cobra definately is. some spots are bleached and some are actually darkening.:frown:
so what did I do wrong?
I'm using silmar 41 polyresin with 4 drops per oz of catalyst and the skin was secured to the tubes with CA
dunno if this is important but I'm using black nickel tubes????
help:beat-up:

thanks in advance folks...
 
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You are probably not doing anything wrong. The problem is most likely the tanning chemicals used on the skins. Where did you get them? I can't comment on the black nickel tubes since I've never used any tubes except the ones I paint myself.

Do a good turn daily!
Don

ZanderPommo said:
I'm in the process of casting up some snakeskin blanks and it looks like the skin is discoloring.:mad:
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I agree with Don, most likely the chemicals used to tan the skins are reacting with the PR. I have used the black tubes and that should not be a problem at all..
 
I think you just found your answer. The first skins I used when I started were from Tandy Leather co purchased at the Ft. Worth, TX store and they discolored also....rattlesnake, python, cobra and some other scraps I picked from their trimmings assortment box.

Do a good turn daily!
Don

ZanderPommo said:
traded with a man who got them from Tandy Leather co. I think
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Hey! Forward that email to me if it's not too much trouble... We can also try casting them with cc pr, although I don't know that the outcome would be much different.
 
I really doubt it would be different
PM me your e-mail again
this is really making me very PO-ed.:mad::mad: these skins were absolutely gorgeous, and very very large.
also I traded 3 pens for them:eek:
a polaris, a slim, and he wants a cigar made from the skins(the one that is discoloring the worst no less.

I wonder could i coat the whole thing with CA before casting to stop the discoloration??
 
Coating the skins with a layer of CA will work with the polyresin. Will is keep the skins from discoloring...can't answer that. Try it and see. I use a synthetic packing peanut to "paint" the CA onto the skin. It is a messy job. I have also used clear acrylic fingernail polish and a product called mod podge from Hobby Lobby. Maybe you can find a way to protect the skin. Another product that is much easier to use is U-40 color lock used by fishing rod makers. I don'tknow if any of these will help with the problem you are having with your skins. Once again, good luck.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

ZanderPommo said:
I really doubt it would be different
P M me your e-mail again
this is really making me very PO-ed.:mad::mad: these skins were absolutely gorgeous, and very very large.
also I traded 3 pens for them:eek:
a polaris, a slim, and he wants a cigar made from the skins(the one that is discoloring the worst no less.

I wonder could i coat the whole thing with CA before casting to stop the discoloration??
Click to expand...
 
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