Varnishing Antlers

korey99 · Post by **korey99** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:06 pm

Looking for thoughts...

I shot a nice bull moose last year and am considering varnishing the antlers to give them a darker, cleaner look. Do any of you guys do this, or have any thoughts on it?

Korey

sparkplug · Post by **sparkplug** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:53 pm

You may want to look into these, I would have to look for the artists name if you want more info.

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 12:26 am

Very, Very nice job on the antlers!

Regards,
Robin

STEELWORKER · Post by **STEELWORKER** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:37 am

nice pieces spark....real nice

Brampton Mike · Post by **Brampton Mike** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 5:19 am

Hmm nice but what does that have to do with the question that was asked about varnishing antlers?????

If you have any old sheds around try varnishing them & then decide from there! Brampton Mike

Woody Williams · Post by **Woody Williams** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 8:35 am

Very nice..

Are those the real McCoys or the simulated?

I priced a lot of those in Alaska and even the cast simulated antlers were pricy. $125 and up. Mostly UP.

The real ones were WAY out of my price range..

striper · Post by **striper** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 8:57 am

Korey: To the question: I have purchased and used a water based polyurethane "paint" that gives a semigloss finish. It is applied with a brush and I think that it would give a very nice sheen to antlers. It dries within an hour and you can apply multiple coats in one day. Also, it gives a very hard, durable finsh. I am afraid that varnish would put to much gloss on your antlers. Striper

Spring · Post by **Spring** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 3:09 pm

I have a matched set of deer antlers that I found shed years ago. I've kept them in good shape, looking nice, and usable for rattling in the fall by wiping them down with peanut oil. They should last forever.

Peanut oil is not an original idea. I first heard of it from a buddy of mine who collected narwhal tusks while we were north. He claimed peanut oil kept them from drying out and cracking, as well as serving as a gentle cleaning solution.

Cheers!

peter p · Post by **peter p** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 9:30 pm

First you should wash them with laundry detergent and a scrub brush, rinse, let dry and then stain them with "special walnut stain" (I use minwax). I don't varnish them because it will look unnatural.