how to clean a

W

WilsonKnives

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Nov 16, 2003
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to start with let me say that I realize that in some states there are certain laws concerning animal bones. I need to know if any one has any experience with jaw bones with teeth. I would like to know how to bleach one out. all the meat is gone. this one has been drying for three yrs or longer. just need to know how to and what to use for a final clean up.any help would be appreciated. thanks
 
Hi Mike,
I've had luck using a 10-20% bleach solution in water. I just let the skull or jaw bones soak in a tub of the solution until everything is white and sterilized. I do not leave it in the solution for any longer than needs be because the bleach will eventually start eating into the bone and enamel on the teeth. You can also use a toothbrush to clean up around the teeth if you like.

After the solution of bleach and water, I let everything dry out for a couple of days and then use tongue oil on the skull and teeth to seal everything up. This method has worked for me with great results. I'm sure there are other methods out there, but since this one has worked for me I keep using it.
Best of luck!
-Dave aka The Cactus Kid
 
Many years ago I used to bow hunt and got a nice black bear. Took the skull and put it in a 5 gallon pail with a lid, poked a bunch of good sized holes in it and hung it from a tree out in the bush. A week or two later (can't remember which) the maggots had stripped it clean. Boiled it in naptha for an hour and left it in the sun to dry for a few days. Sprayed it with clear lacquer and it's still nice and white. Ant hills will clean skulls well also.
 
don't use chlorine compounds if you don't want to melt your piece.
Go search museum procedures for skeleton display... they use peroxyde.
 
Yes, bleach is a bad substance to clean bones in. TSP will work well but I know that hydrogen peroxide is better though far more expensive.
Frank
 
I tried cleaning some bones with TSP

I'm afraid that it was chlorinated TSP, but not labelled that way

The bones turned chalky white and soft



I read some articles that were against boiling and used TSP or peroxide to remove the fat and whiten.
 
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