Dye/stain?

[bpnclark]

My uncle was cleaning out his barn and came across a blacktail rack. It was shot in 1975 and the antlers are white. Has anyone used dyes or stains to darken antlers? It’s a 4x6(1/2) nice rack and I would love to darken them a little and hang it outside on my shed. Any suggestions?

 

[bpnclark]

Pic 1

 

[bpnclark]

Pic 2

 

[deershed]

My advice would be to check with your taxidermist to see if he does any antler restoration and see what he says.
Nice looking rack!!

I just realized that was a blacktail rack.That's a Awesome rack if that's true!!

 

[fossilman]

I've dyed antlers and horn's,didn't like the outcome either.each horn is different on how it holds the dye..................They have dyes in "VanDyke" Taxidermy Book's............Just do alittle at a time.
I sure wouldn't put those horn's outside! If that's a Blacktail,it's really huge and should be put on a display mount and left the way it is(my opinion of course)..
That is a beautiful set..........................If left outside for a few years,they will be dusted and gone with the wind in no time........If you want to sell them,give me a holler....................you have a nice set of horn's there

 

[bobcatman04]

What do you think of a wax shoe polish? Try it on an old rack first. light brown maybe.

 

[bpnclark]

The deer was shot in Napa County in 1975. It’s a true “Californian” Blacktail. Napa is a little far for the Muleys to get to, but you never know. But I can tell you there are no more deer like this around. The area it came from is all wineries now. The deer are all gone. I’m a little nervous to dye it, I’m afraid it will not come out right and be ruined.

One little question. It was been in an open barn since 1975. Will hanging it outside do any more damage?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Found one]

funny, i just got on here to see if anybody knew of some good stains for the old white ones. I have a nice big matching 4 pt set, real thick. I dont know if you have any other horns or sheds around to test with but trial and error might work. I am going to try a bunch of things to see if I can get the right formula down, I'll let you know if I find one. That is an awsome rack you have there. Hard to tell if its from a black or a mule deer. My first guess was a black since you were in Cali but that buck was taken so long ago that there could have been mulies in the area at the time.

 

[TazBux]

Gday.I'm with many in saying do not stain antlers.They have their own unique character when untouched.

With that said,i believe if you would like that set stained this is the way to go.I probably would stain them if they were going to take pride and place in the house.Pic is of the stains and polish i used.
Each one above the colour they produced.

 

[TazBux]

Note bone age,Then darkest applied,Then all three.

 

[TazBux]

Finnaly all three finished palm.I tride not to go out onto the tips of the points to much.This will certainly make the old ones brown.In pic the rear guard doesn't realy have a good cover,as apposed to palm.Hope this helps.

 

[bpnclark]

Thanks TazBux. Your last picture helped me to make up my mind. I’m going to try the brown shoe polish.

 

[Dan Moss]

I would go have the Blacktail rack scored for B&C first that looks like a good buck for a blacktail.

 

[fossilman]

Direct sun on horn's will discinagrate them in about 20 years................Or less....

 

[Found one]

bpnclark- Do ypu ever shed hunt where you are at? If you are ever up in reno I'll take you out sometime.

 

[steeleyes]

I've stained/recoloured several sets of anters. My suggestion: leave the rack as it is. I'm not saying it's not possible to make it look good, but chances are, you won't be too happy with the outcome. Unless you're willing to spend time and I hours, over many days, be happy with your truly enormous blacktail rack.

 

[bpnclark]

I was going to get it scored, but its not high or wide so it wont score well. I decided to leave it alone and hang it inside the garage.

Found one – I don’t make to Reno much. I do a lot of shed hunting (scouting) around the CA D-5 and D-6 area. Not much luck there.

Thanks again guys -

 

[deershed]

Here's the minimum scores for B&C.
Minimum Scores

 

[Eastky Bowhunter]

I have not tried this but I have heard that bee's wax rubbed on the antlers and then melted in with a blow dryer will bring the color back. Might be worth a try.