I recently dry salted a fairly large chunk of elk hide (2’x2’ aproximately) The hair is fairly dark and I would like to lighten up the color, but not to the point where it’s totaly white. Can anyone give me some instructions on how I might go about this? Thanks for any input.
David
“He told us about Christ’s disciples being fisherman, and we were left to assume…that all great fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were fly fisherman and that John, the favorite, was a dry-fly fisherman.” - Norman Maclean-A River Runs Through It
I prefer to use the powdered bleach found in hair salons. You can get it, along with 20 or 30% developer, at a beauty salon supply store. Follow instructions and keep a watch on the elk during the bleaching process. Best to experiment with a small patch first. Then, when you get the idea of the length of time needed to get the color you want, you can bleach a larger patch.
I have had good results with Hydrogen Peroxide found at the local Drug Store/Supermarket. It takes longer and might not get as light as the professional bleach, but it cost less and less possibility of messing it up.
er … ugggg … yeah - really watch the hair when using bleach. Don’t even leave it overnight, you’ll end up with a chunk of skin and some sludge (trust me on this).
Word of caution - don’t mix bleach and hydrogen peroxide - the 2 mixed give off a gas - chlorine gas. Kinda wicked and deadly stuff.
Anyhow - I found a 60/40 (bleach/water) solution, soaking the hair for 2-3 hrs will lighten the hair the most it ever will. Between 5-6 hrs, you start loosing hair (on the hide - deer/elk hide). I tried this on deer - then once figgured out, tried it on elk and moose - similar results.
I’ve always followed A.K.'s instructions in his bleaching and dyeing book with excellent results. The solution really smells, though. Like he says, make sure you have good ventilation.
Joe
Don’t use chlorine bleach on hair or fur as it will dissolve the materials. Fur and hair are a keratin protein. These kind of proteins are held together by chemical bonds which are broken by exposure to basic (high ph) solutions (which chlorine bleach is). You have to use peroxide bleaching on fly tying materials. Fortunately, human hair is a similar protein and the peroxide substances used to bleach it can be used successfully on most natural fly tying materials. The basic white powder mixed with developer solution (which is strong hydrogen peroxide) that you can get at beauty supply stores is what you need. AK Best’s book gives a great description of all the details of using the technique. There is also an excellent series of articles in 1995 American Angler on dying and bleaching.
I have used the 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. I just pour it in a small bowl and place the patch of hair in the solution. I leave it there for an hour or so and then check it to see if it is light enough. If not, I check again later until it is the color I want. As I said, it is not fast but it is safe and not expensive.