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Fish Skin Prep

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Mechslasher:
gonna try backing a bow with fish skin.  never used fish skin so i need some tips on preping the skin. 

tom sawyer:
I am no expert, but I'd be sure all the meat and fat was scraped off and then apply it wet.  I'd also remove scales before finishing, that might be easier to do once you glue it on the bow.  Or while its still on the fish.  If the thing has scales, that is.  What do you have, grass carp?  Sturgeon?  Henway?

Pat B:
Chris, I've never done fish skins but a taxidermist told me to soak them in alcohol and water to help remove the oils. I think he said 1 pint of alcohol to a gal of water.  Pat

ps. Lenny, 3# or so! ;D

tom sawyer:
Darn there's no fooling you guys.

Good idea aobut degreasing.  You could use acetone too.  I'd let the solvent dry out of the skin some and then soak it in several changes of water to get rid of all traces.  Both alcohol and acetone are soluble in water.

Dano:
I've only done one bow, Tim Ott (Timo) recommended using Dawn dish soap to clean the oils off, worked like a champ, apply just as you would rawhide.

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