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Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? #1066444 11/28/09 12:21 AM
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68rustbucket Online Content OP
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I've got a 5 1/2' rattlesnake hide in the freezer that I would like to tan myself. What's the best way to tan it and have it pliable or soft. I've heard soaking it in anti-freeze.




Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: 68rustbucket] #1067033 11/28/09 05:53 PM
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Rustbucket you have heard WRONG on the antifreeze. Don't ever soak anything in that crap. It won't work. Call VanDyke's suppley company and order you a tanning kit with instructions. It will have the tan and the tanning oil included as well as instructions. A kit usually does about 3 to 4 average size snakes. If you want your skin to be soft and pliable and to last, that's the only way to go.



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Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: BillingtonRanchTaxidermy] #1067077 11/28/09 06:36 PM
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Thanks for the info, I'll give them a call.




Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: 68rustbucket] #1067112 11/28/09 07:09 PM
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I've seen a lot of them tanned in anti-freeze. I thought they turned out pretty well. Not saying its the best thing to use, but it works.



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Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: moderno] #1071118 11/30/09 08:34 PM
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I'll tell you how I've been doing it. Its simple and cheap.

I skin the snake and lay it flesh side up tacked out semi tight on a board. Not too tight because as it dries it shrinks.

Then cover the entire fleshy side in salt and lay it in the sun for a couple of days until it is dry.

Then you rinse it off and soak it in a mixture of 50% glycerin and 50% Rubbing alcohol over night. You can find glycerin at a pharmacy just ask for it.

Then take it out of the mixture rinse it off and let it air dry. The snakes I've done using this method had retained all their color and have remained soft and plyable for at least 3 years now.


Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: HuntinForTail] #1071124 11/30/09 08:35 PM
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I don't know if this is a taxidermist approved method, but I have done it many times and it works great and like I said the skins hold up for years.


Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: HuntinForTail] #1072522 12/01/09 04:49 AM
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Originally Posted By: HuntinForTail
I'll tell you how I've been doing it. Its simple and cheap.

I skin the snake and lay it flesh side up tacked out semi tight on a board. Not too tight because as it dries it shrinks.

Then cover the entire fleshy side in salt and lay it in the sun for a couple of days until it is dry.

Then you rinse it off and soak it in a mixture of 50% glycerin and 50% Rubbing alcohol over night. You can find glycerin at a pharmacy just ask for it.

Then take it out of the mixture rinse it off and let it air dry. The snakes I've done using this method had retained all their color and have remained soft and plyable for at least 3 years now.


that is exactly how i did mine, turned out great and ive had it for over 10 years now


Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: HuntinForTail] #1072576 12/01/09 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted By: HuntinForTail
I'll tell you how I've been doing it. Its simple and cheap.

I skin the snake and lay it flesh side up tacked out semi tight on a board. Not too tight because as it dries it shrinks.

Then cover the entire fleshy side in salt and lay it in the sun for a couple of days until it is dry.

Then you rinse it off and soak it in a mixture of 50% glycerin and 50% Rubbing alcohol over night. You can find glycerin at a pharmacy just ask for it.

Then take it out of the mixture rinse it off and let it air dry. The snakes I've done using this method had retained all their color and have remained soft and plyable for at least 3 years now.


X 2, I have one I did like that aroundy 20 years ago and I still have it mounted to an old piece of barn wood hanging in my living room. The hide isn't so soft and plyable anymore but it's still got the nice color!


Last edited by Curly; 12/01/09 05:06 AM.
Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: Curly] #1075899 12/02/09 02:30 PM
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Thanks for the replies.I've got 1 more question. Do I leave the rattle out of the mixture when soaking?




Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: 68rustbucket] #1076338 12/02/09 05:11 PM
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I did but I don't know if it makes any difference.


Re: Anybody tan their own Rattlesnake hide? [Re: HuntinForTail] #1093174 12/09/09 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: HuntinForTail
I'll tell you how I've been doing it. Its simple and cheap.

I skin the snake and lay it flesh side up tacked out semi tight on a board. Not too tight because as it dries it shrinks.

Then cover the entire fleshy side in salt and lay it in the sun for a couple of days until it is dry.

Then you rinse it off and soak it in a mixture of 50% glycerin and 50% Rubbing alcohol over night. You can find glycerin at a pharmacy just ask for it.

Then take it out of the mixture rinse it off and let it air dry. The snakes I've done using this method had retained all their color and have remained soft and plyable for at least 3 years now.


I also have done it this way, but you can substitute Borax for the salt and it does just as good.



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