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Using Potassium Alum


Potassium Alum Directions:

(For Devereaux Paste Tanning Method)

Use the same volume of common salt, potassium alum and water to make enough paste to cover the skin, half an inch deep. Spread out the well-fleshed, washed skin and cover flesh side with half an inch of alum paste. Place the skin in a plastic bag and tie the bag shut to prevent loss of water. Knead the skin in the bag at least 15 minutes a day for a week or as long as you wish. Remove the skin from the bag, scrape off the alum paste for future use, wash in warm soapy water, oil it or mount it.

Stretch the skin tightly, hair side down, and while it is still wet, paint the leather side with professional tanning oil. Keep it in a warm room until it is nearly dry, then take it off the board and work it by pulling it and twisting it until it is dry and soft.

Potassium Alum is an excellent tan for skins from rabbit to deer. It is also good for the preparation of animals up to the size of a fox for mounting. For mounting the stretching should not be done, oil is not necessary, but the skin should be washed well, then soaked in a saturated solution of Borax for 10 minutes and mounted when wet.

Keep Out of Reach of Children

This product is intended solely for manufacturing and industrial use.

Wear rubber gloves when working with chemicals.

Note: Van Dyke's Taxidermy Supply Co. offers these instructions in an advisory capacity and assumes no liability. Such information is the same as used in our own successful experiments, and since we have no control over the environment or the materials upon which our products or instructions will be used, no success is guaranteed. Trial must be performed to account for individual circumstances. In all suggestions, we recommend reading the formulas that have been provided for your evaluation. These are proven formulas that you may find beneficial, from the experience of other tanners.



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