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Hey I have a question about restoration of mounted fish, My dad got a nice mac from the gorge back in the early 80's and it has hung above my mom's cooking surface for about that long and being a farm family many burgers and bacon breakfasts were cooked there. So the mount has picked up a fine coating of grease particles over the years and some dust bunnies and etc... and after my folks got a new home my mom wouldn't let it back in the house, but we sort of want to get it restored to it's glory days if possible and get it back to my dad for his birthday... Does anyone know what, how or who could do this, preferably close to Cache Valley? Thanks all.... Oh it also looks like the colors have faded and it is a skin mount... I'm assuming the drift wood may have to be replaced since I'm sure wood will be very hard to clean and restore... Later J
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[quote SkunkedAgain]Hey I have a question about restoration of mounted fish, My dad got a nice mac from the gorge back in the early 80's and it has hung above my mom's cooking surface for about that long and being a farm family many burgers and bacon breakfasts were cooked there. So the mount has picked up a fine coating of grease particles over the years and some dust bunnies and etc... and after my folks got a new home my mom wouldn't let it back in the house, but we sort of want to get it restored to it's glory days if possible and get it back to my dad for his birthday... Does anyone know what, how or who could do this, preferably close to Cache Valley? Thanks all.... Oh it also looks like the colors have faded and it is a skin mount... I'm assuming the drift wood may have to be replaced since I'm sure wood will be very hard to clean and restore... Later J[/quote]
I would try a well dampened rag (water) and wipe the surface clean. The clear coat of gloss applied years ago should still provide a good buffer for wiping the skin. Be careful with the fins as they are likely more brittle now than when it was new.
If the grease is really that bad and smears when you wipe, then a very light dampened paper towel with lacquer thinner. Don't rub too hard or dwell to much on one area, as the thinner will cut the top coat and lift the paint.
I can't advise on the wood without seeing it. But my guess is a that a wipe down will do it (lacquer or water).
The fish probably has some yellowing from the oils within the skin turning hard and dark. I call it carmelizing. It may only need a little touch up white with an airbrush on the belly, or a completely new paint job depending on how new you want it to look.
If you want somebody else to do it, I'm a taxidermist that does fish, and I live near cache valley. (East Garland). Hopefully the information I provided will get you on the right track without expense. Post a pic if you get a minute. I'm interested in looking at it.
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Looks like you got some good advice from Bad Crawdad, but if that doesn't work and it really means a lot to you, you could always have a replica made that looks pretty close to the exact same! If anyone here has any recommendations on a good replica artist, I'm interested in getting a brown done that was CPR'd by my son on the Weber this winter.
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[quote HD7000]Looks like you got some good advice from Bad Crawdad, but if that doesn't work and it really means a lot to you, you could always have a replica made that looks pretty close to the exact same! If anyone here has any recommendations on a good replica artist, I'm interested in getting a brown done that was CPR'd by my son on the Weber this winter.[/quote]
HD7000, I do Replicas. I custom mold fish too. $12 per linear inch wall mount, $18 per inch table mount. Your Son's brown has a gnarly head and hook jaw. An exact match would be tough for that fish, but customizing a blank shouldn't be difficult. I have attached some pictures of my work.
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Do you have any pictures of Grayling, Cutthroat Trout?
Your Bluegill looks Great!
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[quote not-a-purist]Do you have any pictures of Grayling, Cutthroat Trout?
Your Bluegill looks Great![/quote]
Unfortunately I haven't been good at taking pictures of all my work, but I have done all game species found in Utah. I have brookies, kokes and bows that will be custom molded in the near future. I will gladly take pics and post them as I complete them.
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Great job on the Bluegill!
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Thanks so much for that info, I'll give it a try and see how I do... Can you put dish soap in the water or will that hurt things? Seems like that should cut the grease if needed rather than stepping to solvents... I just don't want to hurt the surface... thanks for the advice... I'll try and get some photo's when I can to post up... J
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Nice brown.... Later J
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Dish soap won't hurt anything. Its a pretty good idea actually. The skin can tolerate quite a bit of moisture for short periods of time, so scrubbing with soapy water ,very briefly, could do the trick. Avoid excessive moisture around cracks such as around the head or the seam on the back. When your done, make sure everything is dry.
One last thing, I would test whatever you do on the backside before you do the front side.
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Thanks that sounds like great advice I'll give it a try. Thanks J
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Dawn is pretty gentle and works great on grease just look at the little duckling on the cover of the bottle
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Good point, if the ducks like it, it should be good for the stuffed fish...J
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