Skull dark after boiling?!?!

[johnr]

What does a professional at this activity charge?

 

[TFX 186]

I took a skull to a guy in Minot last year and he charged $125. It was nice and clean and white when I got it back. That doesn't include any mounting. It is ready to be put on whatever plaque you want. I have zero complaints about his work.
KDM, those mounts turned out real nice. Thanks for the ideas and pictures.

Fish On!

 

[ndbwhunter]

Please explain your maceration process.

I built a large tank and used a water heater element and a thermostat to keep the temp around 90-95 degrees. Remove bottom jaw, eyes, brain and anything else that will come off. Throw the skulls into the tank, cover and let them sit. It will take anywhere from 1-3 weeks to come out clean depending on the type of skull. Once clean, dump the water out and refill with fresh water. Add a bunch of dawn dish soap and crank the temp to 115. This is done to degrease the skulls and will usually take another 1-3 weeks depending on the skull. Every skull is different. The large tank was kind of a pain, so I bought a 5 gallon bucket heater and do one deer skull at a time now.

 

[TFX 186]

Guys,
What is this bucket heater you speak of? Maybe some pics or links and are their different ones that are better? I am doing the pot on a burner but not boiling it. Trying to keep it about 110-120. I also am having a few issues with keeping the whole skull in the water but not deep enough to get the base of the horns down in.

Fish On!

 

[jr2280]

Guys,
What is this bucket heater you speak of? Maybe some pics or links and are their different ones that are better? I am doing the pot on a burner but not boiling it. Trying to keep it about 110-120. I also am having a few issues with keeping the whole skull in the water but not deep enough to get the base of the horns down in.

Fish On!

This is the one I use for maceration https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-1000w-submersible-bucket-heater?cm_vc=-10005