LIQUA TAN WITH SALT & PRE-TAN
Using an Acid Pickle Method Prior to Liqua Tan
#110 PICKLE METHOD
Liqua Tan is a blend of specially developed oils and tanning agents for the purpose of tanning fur skins and hair-on skins especially for Taxidermy. Will produce a supple tanned skin with good stretch, longevity and minimal -shrinkage. Once the Liqua Tan is dried into the skin it cannot be washed out.
Supplemental instructions and optional methods:
- Handling of the raw skin: Remove as much flesh and membrane as possible. Turn lips, nostrils and ears on capes. Do not leave the skin in a raw state any longer than necessary.
- Salt the flesh side of the skin with fine grain non-iodized salt. Use plenty of salt. Never use rock salt or reuse old salt.
- After 24 hours, shake off salt and re-salt for another 24 hours. If the dry salting step is to be eliminated, the fresh or frozen skin can be placed in a salt solution of 1/8 oz. of Basacryl NB KU and three pounds of salt per gallon of water. SEE OPTIONS #1 and #2 on Tips.
- For salted skins, mix two pounds of salt and 3 oz Pre-Tan #110 to each gallon of hot water and let cool. SEE TIP #3 on Tips.
- Place the skin in the above solution for at least 3 hours or until completely rehydrated. Do not leave the skin in any longer than necessary.
- Remove the skin, drain, and shave the skin as thin as possible. SEE TIP #4 Tips.
- Degrease the skin if necessary (skins such as bear, raccoon, beaver, and coyote) may need degreasing See Tip #5 on Tips.
- After the skin is completely shaved and degreased, rinse out the salt with several clear water rinses. (The first rinse should be luke warm water. The second rinse should include Basacryl NB KU) Dry the skin with towels until most of the moisture is removed from the hair and the skin is in a damp-dry state. SEE TIP #6 on Tips.
- Lay the skin flesh side up and apply an even layer of Liqua Tan. Use a paint brush or work in by hand. (Wear rubber gloves) Liqua Tan works best if warmed slightly and is applied at room temperature. After several hours, work in excess Liqua Tan. Follow either step #10 or step #10 Alternative, depending upon desired method.
- Hang the skin up where all areas are exposed to air circulation. Periodically stretch the skin to make sure it dries evenly. Let the skin dry for at least five days before rehydrating. SEE OPTION#2, TIPS #7 and #8, Tips.
ALTERNATIVE - The skin can also be mounted after the Liqua Tan has soaked in for eight hours (preferably overnight). It is important with this method that all salt is rinsed out.
USING AN ACID PICKLE METHOD PRIOR TO LIQUA TAN
Liqua Tan is a blend of specially developed oils and tanning agents for the purpose of tanning fur skins and hair on skins especially for Taxidermy. It will produce a supple tanned skin with good stretch and longevity, and minimal shrinkage. Once the Liqua Tan is dried into the skin, it cannot be washed out.
Recommended Use:
NOTE: Percentages are based on drained shaved weight of skin. Use less of a percentage for a skin with long hair than a skin with short hair.
- Rehydration: Rehydrate skins in clear water with no more than ¼ lb of salt per gallon. Or use rehydration formula on Formulas.
- Skin Prep:(Optional) Use Enzol B after rehydration. (See separate instructions)
- Pickle: To each gallon of water add the following: 1 lb. of salt, 1½ oz of 85% Formic Acid, or 3 oz of citric acid.
NOTE: Other acids such as Bascal S, vinegar, and citric acid can be used. Mineral acids such as hydrochloric and sulfuric acids are not recommended. The important thing is to maintain a pH of 1.8-2.2, leave the skins in the pickle for two days or longer. After the first 24 hours in the pickle, the skins can be shaved and then returned to the pickle for an additional 24 hours. You can choose other pickling methods (5 to choose from) SEE Formulas.
- Degreasing: For skins such as Bear, Beaver, Fox, Raccoon, etc., degreasing should be done prior to tanning. Use KEMAL-4 or Kemsol, Super-Solv degreaser. (See separate instructions) Works great on extra greasy skins.
- Basification and Neutralizing: Drain skins from pickle and place them in clear water. Immediately add a small amount (approx. 1 oz per gallon) sodium bicarbonate or other neutralizing agent until a pH of 4.5-5.0 is reached. Leave the skins in solution for 30 minutes and then drain well and rinse.
- Lay the skin flesh side up and apply an even layer of Liqua Tan. Use a paint brush or work in by hand. (Wear rubber gloves) Liqua Tan works best if warmed slightly and is applied at room temperature. After several hours, work in excess Liqua Tan. Follow either step #7 or Step #7 Alternative depending upon desired method.
- Hang the skin up where all areas are exposed to air circulation. Periodically stretch the skin to make sure it dries evenly. Let the skin dry for at least five days before rehydrating. See option #2, and TIPS #7 and #8 on Tips.
Alternative: The skin can also be mounted after the Liqua Tan has soaked in for eight hours (preferably overnight). It is important with this method that all the salt is rinsed out.
