Faded Antlers & Pics

[KB90]

**** Well I tried it again on my dads first whitetail he shot in 6 years ago, it was the first whitey buck we saw in Quesnel, now we run into a couple every year. Anywho here are the results.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/DSC_0461.jpg
The tips are whiter than they appear, the pic doesn't reflect it though.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/DSC_0462.jpg


Well I thought I would try to re-color some antlers and I had some good success with a recent shed I found.

(Although I tried it on my first ever buck that was very weathered and it did not work very well. I managed to get them brown but it does not look very good. So a tip to whoever tries this, it will work but only to an extent in relation to the condition of the antlers. I am kind of disappointed but O well. If someone else has some tip for me that would be great.)

With some practice I think one could get some great results and I have some more sheds I will be practicing on ;)


So anyways heres what I did. I went to the pharmacy and ordered some Potassium Permanganate, took 2 days to come and cost 15 bucks. I mixed 1/2 tsp and 1/2 cup warm water. Make sure you wear gloves as it will dye your hands. I then took a rag and wiped it on. It takes a bit to get a feel for it, as it goes on in a deep purple, but in a couple of minutes is turns brown and you can go from there!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/DSC_0458.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/DSC_0470.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/DSC_04592.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/DSC_04741.jpg

You can see the 2 point did not turn out very well, I hope I can get it a little better, but if not I'll plaque it as is, after all its better than bleac white.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/DSC_04751.jpg

Cheers Kyle.

[Will]

I've had some good results with plain old wood stains...lots of shades to play with and cheaper too:wink:

Neat stuff there though ! :-D

[guest]

Hey Kyle,
I have used tones of Brown Shoe polish on a few that where faded, seem to work good and was cheap too. That said if they were out in the weather I would imagine they would deteriorate over time.
Just experiment with different shades, if it's real dark, just rub the $%#$$!! out of it to make it lighter.
Just what I've used over the years.
CT

[jml11]

If your antlers are fairly weathered or discolored try painting them with white paint first then apply the potassium permanganate, you might have better results. A friend of mine had a caribou rack that was quite blotchy as he lost the velvet on it in transport. A taxidermist recommended the method I just stated and they turned out really well. Just an idea?

[KB90]

Thanks Jml11 I will def be trying that!

[Bugle M In]

My Father and Uncle used the "skins" from walnuts after they had fallen to the ground and had turned dark\black due to starting to rot.
Boil these dark skins ( not the actual nut) for awhile, then apply the resulting stain.

[3kills]

there was a tip on here once about usin gravy darkner or something like that i cant remember what its called anyways i tried it once and it turned out great..

[knighthunter]

I used Taster's choice instant coffee once but it took alot of expirementing to get the desired colour.

[sawmill]

there was a tip on here once about usin gravy darkner or something like that i cant remember what its called anyways i tried it once and it turned out great..

That was me.Kitchen Bouqet gravy darkener.Nice thing about it is it is water soluble so you can adjust the colour once it`s on with a damp rag.
Potassiam is a bitch to lighten up once it`s on.After you get it how you like let it dry then spray a light coat of FLAT(not gloss) Varathane to seal it.Best results I have ever had and I have done scores of racks with evey damn thing you can think of.
Hey Kyle,chalky antlers like the 2 pnt. are so pourus they don`t take anything well.I have a big caribou rack like that,it was all grey and nasty looking, so I spray painted it flat bone white and man does it ever look sharp.

[hunter1947]

Kylebartels you did a very nice job on restoring them faded antlers I restored the antlers with potassium permanganate ,these antlers where out side on a pole for 5 years and where snow white.
I am happy with the out come of the results ,I will be posting the pic of the mule deer latter today...

[bforce750]

I was told by an old-tymer to use beeswax and a heat gun has anyone tried it?

[Moose72]

Woodstains work very well. The oil seals them.

[Rackaholic]

I used PP on the antlers in my avatar, worked perfectly, gives you a nice tan if ya get it on your skin too :D

[gamehunter6o]

I've had some good results with plain old wood stains...lots of shades to play with and cheaper :-D

Those shades your wearing must be rose tinted.:wink:

[doubled]

Well done, will be trying this for sure.

[KB90]

Tried it again, pics are above in the original post.

[mud-dog27]

I've had some good results with plain old wood stains...lots of shades to play with and cheaper too:wink:

Neat stuff there though ! :-D

same here i use the gel stain and it gives a good result cause it soaks in instead of sitting on top

[doubled]

Kyle,

Thanks for posting this. I tried it today and vas very happy with the results. Without this post, I never would have thought of this.

I restored three sets of my Dad's antler's as well as two sets of my Grandfather's antlers. They are now displayed proudly on my wall. Kind of a family display album. I will post some pics in another thread.

Thanks again,

DD