Dead Head Antler Repair

waterbuck · Dec 8, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Dec-08-10 AT 12:30PM (MST)[p]I have an awesome dead head that I need to refurbish. What is the best fill for cracks, and stain for the color on a chalky rack?

http://www.monstermuleys.com/photos/PhotosID26/248.html

HiMtnHntr · Dec 8, 2010

WAM (Wild Antler Magic) is what I would use. Sand the horns a bit with some 220 to fill in the cracks. Add the WAM and some clear coat and they'll look good. The WAM experts on here can add some more info.

massNtrash · Dec 8, 2010

I use wam for everything that is just bleached but anything with cracks i use minwax wood putty to fill it then paint them with antler paints that i got from van dykes taxidermy online. works good.

HiMtnHntr · Dec 9, 2010

The buck on the right was really chalky. The antlers were wet-sanded with 220 grit. The WAM was applied and then a clearcoat was sprayed on. If you look closely at them you can see some cracks, but hanging on the wall, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that would notice. Both bucks were WAM'd using the medium color, but the chalkier buck turned out a little darker. Considering the state of the antlers, which I'd guess were worse that the above set, I think they turned out pretty good.

waterbuck · Dec 9, 2010

Nice!

It is good to see an after picture. Do you have a before?

GLEDEASY · Dec 10, 2010

That is a sweet find.
I really like the WAM as well, although I haven't used anything else. Sanding didn't work so well for me on one antler. It was pretty heavily cracked though from setting in the AZ sun. On this dead I used white corn starch to fill in the cracks it did a great job but not 100% perfect when you look closely. I had some close ups of before and after with the cracks but can't seem to find them. Whatever you do practice on other horns first and then when ready take your time and do a good job.
This picture is after the corn starch, with cracks filled in.

After the WAM

HiMtnHntr · Dec 10, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Dec-10-10 AT 09:02PM (MST)[p]Here's a before. It's not me in the pic, so I cropped the pic a bit!

waterbuck · Dec 10, 2010

Thanks.

waterbuck · Dec 10, 2010

See "Monster Deadhead - Part 2" on the Mule Deer page for more pictures.

MeatMissile · Dec 21, 2010

Not sure about the cracks, but I just finished a dead head with some spray stain and that is by far the best method that I have found. The spray color was "Pecan" and then I used some dark walnut stain to rub onto the bases for that added dark look. Just do it in phases and be ready to wipe any mistakes.

NV4Life · Dec 21, 2010

I would suggest practicing on sheds that are about the same condition as your deadhead, that is if you can get your hands on them. I would hate to see someone ruin a huge deadhead by making it to dark or sanding too much. Just my .02
___________________________________________
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nontypical · Jan 11, 2011

MeatMissle-Do you have any pics of those antlers?Also,what brand of spray stain did you use?Have you ever used WAM?Thanks in advance.Waterbuck-for sure do a little experimentation before you go to work on the deadhead.So far,the WAM seems to work best.I have tried several different methods.Filling in the cracks with wood putty is a no-no(IMO).It colors slightly differently than the stain or WAM,giving an inconsistent color to the antlers.If it's not cracked too badly,I wouldn't even worry about the cracks at all.

massNtrash · Jan 12, 2011

here take a look at this this is one that i did last year turned out good you would never notice the difference when its just sitting in my pile.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID18/4280.html

waterbuck · Jan 12, 2011

That was a great job on that shed. I have been worried about the stain issue, because I need to use putty to fill the cracks. How did you get the color variation with the brush on wipe off paint?

massNtrash · Jan 13, 2011

it took a little work but if you play with it long enough it starts to turn out good. besides if you do it and don't like it you can just wipe it off with a wet rag before you spray it with a clear coat. what i was doing was trying to wipe off the high spots that would have rubbed more but not trying to wipe off all the color at the same time. It takes a while but if you play with it long enough you'll get it.