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Microwave. Do not get the mixture over 130 degrees. I apply the mixture with a plastic squeeze bottle and push it around with a paint brush. Make sure to cover every square inch of skin and avoid getting it on the fur. 2. Fold the skin leather to leather and place in a warm place to absorb the oil for approximately 4 hours. After 4 hours unfold the skins and hang to dry in a warm area. Make sure all the leather is exposed. Breaking 1. Monitor the skins as they dry. You may want to start drying at bed time. A typical fox takes approximately 10 hours to reach the breaking stage. A beaver may take 24. Thin areas will dry first. To test the skins simply stretch the area and see if it turns white. If it is the proper time you should actually feel the skin break. If it is too early the skin will just stretch and you will be wasting your time. If it is too dry, it will not stretch at all and will need to be wet slightly and start over again. The skin can be placed in a plastic bag and kept in a cool area to slow the drying process. 2. When the skin is at the proper stage of dryness take the skin and start working it. The best method for thin skins is to simply stretch it in all directions. Working it over a counter top or the edge of a board will help also, but remember to work the skin in all directions. Continue this until the skin is completely dry and soft. The tail will probably be the last to dry. Finishing 1. The fur side should be dried thoroughly. Use towels, blow dryers (no heat), and brushes to make the fur look nice. 2. The leather side can be sanded to clean up any remaining membrane. 3. Hold the fur by the nose and give a couple of good shakes to align the fur, and hang on the wall. Leather will absorb moisture from the air and will appear to stiffen up after a while. A little bit of occasional stretching should take care of this. 4. To keep fur looking nice it should always be hung. True tanning is a lot of work and unfortunately it has to be done with careful attention as to details like room temp, pH, measuring chemicals and so forth. There are no short cuts. Start with a single fur that you know is good. Picking up a road kill for your first attempt is asking for failure. Keep in mind that pre-care is the most important part of tanning. |