snake skins II

[kdub]

is there anything that can be put on a snakeskin to bring out the pattern, like a laquer, or oil?

[TRACY]

I seal mine with Tru Oil which is a mix of linseed and lacquer. Works real well.

Tracy

[Justin Snyder]

Sometimes staining the wood underneath will help keep it from washing out, at least that is what I hear.  I have used Minwax Spray Polyurethane with good results. Justin

[kdub]

Ive got some tru oil, this skin is for a belt and not a bow though,  will it still work?

[Sparrow]

 You don't want to put no tru-oil on a belt,you've got that wrapped around leather ? Maybe glued and stitched ? You would treat it as leather to keep it supple.  Frank

[El Destructo]

I think He meant that it was purchased as a Belt Backing....not for a Bow.....if this is the Case.....wash it good before you use it to back you Bow....because chances are that it has been Tanned.....and possibly by using Silicone or Glycol....which are oily....so wash this Skin with a good bathing in Dawn Detergent to remove the oils....then use it for Backing with your choice of Glues ( I prefer Hide Glues)....when dry cover with Tru-Oil.....I sand between coats to knock down the Scales that curl up....then recoat ...and sand....till the Surface is smooth........good luck

[kdub]

I killed it, skinned it and I want to put it on a belt....actually I just did.  I used the tru oil before comin back to this post.  I just rubbed some on the snake skiin to make it shiny.  I may have messed it up, but what the heck sometimes you gotta learn by trying.  Ill let yall know how it turns out. Thanks.

[El Destructo]

I killed it, skinned it and I want to put it on a belt....actually I just did.  I used the tru oil before comin back to this post.  I just rubbed some on the snake skiin to make it shiny.  I may have messed it up, but what the heck sometimes you gotta learn by trying.  Ill let yall know how it turns out. Thanks.

OHHHHHH.......My Bad........ Fishoona.....you were right all along!!!! Would have never guessed!!!...When you put a Snake Skin on a Belt or Any other Piece of Clothing...it needs to be tanned.....or at least treated with Glycerin to keep it soft and give it a little Shine....But the Tru-Oil will probably last a While before it starts to peeling off on you...How did you attach it to the Belt? Stitching....or Glue???...If Stitched....you could use Neatsfoot Oil to keep it soft and the Leather in the Belt conditioned....

[kdub]

I used glu, but I might have to go back and attach it with stitching.  It looks pretty good right now, but well see how it lasts.  As far as tanning, I salted it when I skinned it, and after it dried I sanded al the salt and leftover flesh off.  It is pretty flexible,  sooooo well see.  Thanks for the help.

[huntertrapper]

hey could you post a picture... i liked to see how its done, that would be good medicine

[kdub]

hey Hunter I need to get it together and get the connection for my camera via my computer.  Ive got a bunch of pics to post once I get that...maybe a couple more weeks and Ill have it.  I ended up stitchimg it up with leather lacing.  It loks pretty good.  The belt is cottonmouth and the belt buckel is diamond back watersnake.. By the way... I killed them all with arrows even though I used my PSE kingfisher to do it.(It wont get messed up in the swamp and has a screw in fishing line spool.)

[huntertrapper]

alright cool, so youve made stick bow kills alreadyt then...

[Justin Snyder]

You would be better off to put linseed oil or some kind of saddle leather treatment on it if it is for a belt.  We always use linseed oil on the flesh side for hat bands, belts and wallets.  Then sew it on.  Justin

[Pat B]

When I owned a leather shop(many years ago) there was a product made by the Feibings Co(leather dye makers), called Resoline(sp) that was an acrylic finish that goes over leather. We used it on our snake skin belts also.     Pat

[Ranger B]

Pappy and GregB hooked me up.  I painted the bow black under the skins then glued them over it.  It really brings the color out.  I started with a sharpie but then painted it with acrylic black paint then glued the skins over it.  Looks nice and bright.
Ranger B