Rawhide backing prep

[Kidder]

So I’ve heat treated my BL stave and it seems to have come out real nice! Built a caul and evened up the reflex on it. During the heat treat I coated the belly with bacon grease and the back ended up with a nice coated rubbed in. Basically the whole thing is coated with bacon grease. Can’t beat the smell of bacon grease cooking! I intend to back it with rawhide for insurance and am wondering if I need to remove the bacon grease prior to backing it, and if so what is the best way to do so? Thanks in advance.

[PatM]

Definitely and you might have a really hard time doing it adequately.

[Kidder]

Definitely and you might have a really hard time doing it adequately.

What would you do to remove it?

[PatM]

Probably multiple scrubs and rinses with Dawn soap, sanding and then another scrubbing and rinse.
   I'd want to  make sure I wasn't touching the belly side and then the gluing surface after as well.

[Pat B]

Pour boiling water over a limb, scrub it with Dawn then rinse with boiling water. Then the next limb. Don't forget the back of the handle where rawhide will go too.

[bradsmith2010]

I have used draino, or liquid drain cleaner, if I really thought the grease was soaked in, then the soap and boing water,,too,, after all that work, I dont want it coming off,,
ashes and water makes a strong de greaser too,, good advice from above

[Pat B]

Be sure to wear gloves if you use the drain cleaner or ash and water. Lye will burn your skin. Vinegar will neutralize it too.