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4 Tips for Cleaning Your Taxidermy Mount

By August 8, 2020No Comments

If you have a taxidermy mount, it is important to keep it clean. Freeze drying pets is a popular way to preserve their memory and cherish the times the family shared; however, taxidermy mounts also have to be kept clean. There are a few important tips that everyone has to follow in order to make sure their taxidermy mounts are kept as clean as possible.

How Often Should I Clean Taxidermy Animals?

In order to make sure that your mounts look fresh and alive, you need to clean them a few times per year. Depending on the type of mount you have, the cleaning process will vary. Following these steps will help you make sure that your mounts look good for years to come. Some of the most important tips for cleaning a mount include:

  • Display all mounts in a climate-controlled environment.
  • Prevent fading by hanging them in a dark area, as sunlight can cause them to fade over time.
  • Make sure that you do not place your taxidermy mounts near heat sources.
  • Handle taxidermy mounts like fine pieces of artwork. Do not touch them unless absolutely necessary.
  • Think about using a specialized product that will act as a dust shield. This will help the hair of the animal preserve its luster.
  • Dust them on a regular basis to keep them fresh.
  • If there are horns or antlers, wipe them down with a damp cloth.
  • Eyes can be polished using a q-tip coated with glass cleaner.

Remember to follow these steps a few times per year to make sure that all animals look as fresh as possible.

How Do You Clean Dust Off of a Fish Mount?

Fish mounts are special because they have scales (or rough skin) instead of hair. This means that dust settles on them a bit differently than other animals. In order to keep dust off of a fish mount, there are a few steps to follow. These include:

  • Start with cans of compressed air to blow any dust that might be present on the surface away from the fish.
  • After this, think about using a Swiffer to quickly mop up any dust that might still be stuck to the fish itself.
  • If the scales are rough, they might tear soft pieces of cloth, such as a Swiffer. In this case, a light duster might work better.
  • Try to avoid using cleaning solutions such as Windex because this can eat the paint. If the dust is really adhering to the fish, make sure to dilute all cleaning solutions with water and test them on the backside of the fish first.

Fish mounts should be dusted a few times per year. Make sure to use caution with any cleaning solutions as this might erode the mount itself. Cans of compressed air are always a great place to start the cleaning process.

How Do You Restore Taxidermy Birds?

In order to restore taxidermy birds, there are a few steps that have to be followed. These include:

  • Make sure the bird is dusted on a regular basis. The mounts have to be cleaned regularly to prevent dust and dirt from building up. People who live in dustier places might have to dust the bird more often. A feather duster works well for removing excess dust. While there is an old tale that a piece of bread will work well, crumbs will stick to the bird. Avoid this method.
  • Use a Lacquer Thinner: If there is residual dust present on the bird, avoid using water as this will degrade the feathers. Instead, soak a small rag with lacquer thinner. Then, wipe this all over the mount. The thinner evaporates from the feather quickly, leaving a clean mount with vibrant colors.
  • Avoid the Sun: Mounts need to be displayed prominently; however, avoid placing them in the sun. Direct sunlight will bleach the feathers of birds quickly, causing them to fade. Instead, preserve the colors of the feathers by keeping the bird out of the sun.

Once a taxidermy bird has been preserved, it is important to keep it in good condition.  One of the most common reasons why birds are destroyed has to do with pets. While it is possible to salvage a bird that might have been attacked by a family pet, this is damage that is better left avoided. Therefore, place the mount in a place where the pets are not going to have access to it.

What Is the Best Way To Clean a Deer Mount?

There are a few steps that you have to follow in order to keep a deer mount clean.

  • If you have a deer mount, you need to make sure that you take proper care of it. To start the process, use a soft bristle brush to remove as much dust and debris as possible. One of the tools that works well is a paint brush with soft bristles.
  • After this, take a few drops of dish soap and mix this with warm water. Mix the solution slightly to generate a few suds.
  • Dip the sponge into soapy water. Make sure it isn’t totally saturated. Squeeze the sponge to absorb the solution and then wring it out. It should be damp but not dripping wet.
  • Take the sponge and wipe it on the animal. Make sure to follow the natural grain of the hair. Do not brush against the grain because this can damage the hair of the deer.
  • Repeat the process across the entire mount. Make sure to rinse the sponge frequently as you go and repeat the steps above.
  • After this process has been finished, wipe down the mount using a cloth that has been dampened in vinegar. This will remove any of the odors from the mount as it dries. As the vinegar evaporates and dries the hair, the odors will disappear along with it.
  • Finally, take a few cotton swabs and dip them in a glass cleaner. This is used to clean the eyes and keep them shiny.

These simple steps will help you make sure that your deer mount is kept in good condition.

Call a Professional Taxidermist

If you want to keep your taxidermy mounts as clean as possible, you need to make sure that you rely on the help of a trained professional. At Animal Family, we have been providing high-quality pet preservation services for more than 25 years. We can help you preserve the memory of numerous types of animals. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you with our animal taxidermy services, give us a call today!

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