bear skull

[Tank]

I'm sure this question has been asked here somewhere before but....

I have a bear skull that has been cleaned (with beetles) and now I want to bleach it white. What is the best method to use to get this skull its whitest with out doing any damage??

Opinions please!

[MattB]

I've used 30% hydrogen peroxide that i received from my taxidermist. You mix the Hydrogen peroxide with some kind of white powder and together they make a paste that you apply to the skull. IMO this is the best method and will give the best results. You can order the peroxide and powder from AAA tacidermy supply (I think thats what its called?) in Alberta, dont order from the states they will charge big bucks for shipping!

If you want to see how white it makes the skull i can post some pics.

[Steeleco]

I've read that boiling it in 10% peroxide/ water mix does a pretty good job.

Be careful with either method, too much peroxide can cause the bone to start flaking over time.

[Tank]

I've used 30% hydrogen peroxide that i received from my taxidermist. You mix the Hydrogen peroxide with some kind of white powder and together they make a paste that you apply to the skull. IMO this is the best method and will give the best results. You can order the peroxide and powder from AAA tacidermy supply (I think thats what its called?) in Alberta, dont order from the states they will charge big bucks for shipping!

If you want to see how white it makes the skull i can post some pics.

That sounds like what I'm looking for. I assume that it could be used on european mounts as well. Pics would be great!

Does AAA taxidermy have website?

[4ptbuck]

Hydrogen peroxide is the way to go.
What I do, cause I am cheap, and it works for me is:
buy Hydrogen Peroxide from a Drug/Beauty store, ie save-on foods, london drug, superstore etc.
You are looking for the stuff that is used to bleach hair, so look by the hair colouring area. I can't remember the price, cause it wasn't worth remembering,... ie cheap.

I wrap my skull in TP, you toliet paper, to hold the liquid next to the bone. Place it in a stainless steel mixing bowl, and pour the HP on. For a skull I used about 1/2 a small bottle, for a euro, about a 1/8-1/4.

Leave it for an hour, an take a peek. If it isn't white enough, leave it longer.
The last bear skull, I forgot about and left it over 24hours. No damage that I can see.

[mainland hunter]

go to a pottery store and ask for whiting. cant remember the technical name for it right now but its the same stuff you get from triple a supply
http://www.aaasupplyhouse.com/catalog.htm

[MattB]

Here's some pics of the skull.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/matthew_brown69/Picture015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/matthew_brown69/Picture013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/matthew_brown69/Picture012.jpg

[Tank]

That looks like the result I'm going for. Thanks for the pics!

Did you have the skull sealed after whitening?