Tips and Options for use with Liqua Tan

Tips for use with Liqua Tan

1. Never roll up a green skin and place it in a plastic bag to freeze. This causes sweating plus it takes longer to freeze promoting bacteria growth. Lay out the skin in the freezer until almost to the point of freezing, then roll up and completely freeze.

2. Always thaw a raw skin in a salt solution with Skin Prep NBU. This prevents bacteria growth.

3. To rehydrate a dry salted skin, first place the skin in plain water at room temperature. Use of Skin Prep NBU is recommended. Soak until semi-relaxed, then place in salt or pickle solution. Trying to rehydrate in a strong salt or pickle solution only is time consuming. The salt and / or pickle is astringent to the pores of the skin, preventing absorption. The use of Relax R and Bascal S helps to speed up rehydration.

4. The use of a fleshing machine or currier's knife is recommended. If not available, a heavy duty wire wheel on a minimum of a one-half horsepower motor will do an adequate job. For best results, let the skin stiffen up after removing from the salt or pickle solution before fleshing. Wear a respirator or dust mask and safety glasses when fleshing.

5. Heavy degreasing can be done through the use of Kerosene, unleaded gasoline, Coleman® Fuel, or mineral spirits (always use these fuels or thinners outdoors). An option to these products is Kemsol Degreaser which works like solvents but is almost odorless and safe to use indoors. Soak in degreaser for two hours and drain well. Wash skin in strong detergent to remove any grease that may be left in the skin. Kemal 4 is highly recommended for this purpose.

6. If a fur drum or old clothes dryer is available, the skin can be drummed with dry towels or rags to remove moisture. Set dryer on no heat setting.

7. To rehydrate the skin after being tanned, soak in plain water with a small amount of bactericide added for a least one-half to two hours depending on the thickness of the skin. Drain, roll up and cover with a damp towel until the skin is completely rehydrated. Re-soak for another one-half hour if necessary.

8. For soft tanning it is recommended to use special softening oils such as Liqua Soft, Tanning Oil #1, Tanning Oil #2, or Soft Finish.

Options for use with Liqua Tan

1. The use of Aluminum Sulfate, Pre-Tan #100, and Bascal-S is recommended to help produce a softer, better quality skin. These products also make shaving of the skin much easier. Each product has its own characteristics.

2. The skin can be drummed in hardwood sawdust when 80 percent to 90 percent dry, to clean hair and help rake fibers for more softness and stretch. Never use cherry, walnut or soft wood sawdust. Hair Sheen and Soft Finish can also be used when drumming skins. Refer to product information pertaining to these products and their individual usage specifications.

Note: Liqua Tan will still tan in the freezer, but at a much slower rate. After several months the skin starts to lose moisture. When the skin is thawed it feels like a commercially tanned skin with no oily feel. Usually no rehydration is necessary.

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