old moldy boo racks

y2kadle

New member
Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
183
Reaction score
2
Anyone have any methods of making old green stained racks look new again?
 

stid2677

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2006
Messages
7,474
Reaction score
615
Location
Fairbanks Area
Power wash them with a pressure washer, let them totally dry. Spray paint them with KILZ oil based spray paint, use GEL stain to stain to desired look. Go very easy with the stain as a little goes a long way, just a dab on a clean cloth rag and go slow. If you don't like it spray with the KILZ and try again. Won't look like they are natural, but you should get a decent product. I think it is walnut stain that I used.

Good Luck

Steve
 

sayak

New member
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
6,117
Reaction score
643
Location
Central peninsula, between the K-rivers
When antlers get real green, buy some thick toilet cleanser such as "Duck Toilet Cleaner", which has bleach in it, and use a brush to coat the surfaces. Wash off as needed and keep at it until it bleaches out well. You can even bolster the potency by mixing in some powdered cleanser.

When the antlers seem to have become as bleached as possible, dry them well for a few days, and then sand them lightly. Now you can put the hue of stain you desire. Lastly, seal with a matte varnish.
 

dieNqvrs

Active member
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
530
Reaction score
40
Location
Kodiak
Don't ever use bleach on antler or bone!! It strips calcium away and never can be replaced and becomes chalky. Use soap and peroxide first then paint. Stain is hard to control. So if that is the method go very light coats, once it is too dark you have to start all over. Paint is easier to control and if too dark it can be whiped back off before it is dry, in my experience.
 

sayak

New member
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
6,117
Reaction score
643
Location
Central peninsula, between the K-rivers
Don't ever use bleach on antler or bone!! It strips calcium away and never can be replaced and becomes chalky. Use soap and peroxide first then paint. Stain is hard to control. So if that is the method go very light coats, once it is too dark you have to start all over. Paint is easier to control and if too dark it can be whiped back off before it is dry, in my experience.
Been doing it for years on bone, ivory and antler for jewelry work. No problems. Maybe my experience is different than yours.
 

dieNqvrs

Active member
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
530
Reaction score
40
Location
Kodiak
Been doing it for years on bone, ivory and antler for jewelry work. No problems. Maybe my experience is different than yours.

No you are just are not educated when it comes to chemistry and bones. Bleach does whiten but RUIN them even a little and will crumble over time. Ask any professional skull/ skeleton preparer and they will tell you the same. No one use clorine bleach to whiten, clean, disinfect or any other adjictive associated with cleaning osteilogical specimens. It appears to workon the surface but is doing detrimental damage to the bone matrix on a elemental level. Take it FWIW and IMO. Do as you want it will be fine!
 


Latest posts

Top