Cleaning Mounts

Maybe this is a stupid question, but I am going to post it anyways. I was just wondering what you all use to clean you fish mounts. I brush mine off with one of those dusting things but it doesnt get it all off. I dont think i should use a damp cloth on them. Any advice on how to clean them would be helpful.

thanks jason

Good question
I do the same with the duster often. Every couple of mounths I put the air compressor to them also. You have to be careful with pressure but it blows dust out of feather, fur and scales nice. I have used a little alcohol on eyes.
If this is wrong I hope we both hear from the pros

{damp cloth}

For fish I use the water sprayer from a sink or an outside hose. Just a little pressure behind the water gets rid of most of the dust and dirt.

Good Fishing,
Mike

on this last friday i just went to the taxidermist to pick up one of my fish and i asked him the same question and he said that i can just take a damp cloth and wipe off the fish and it will be perfect.

Thanks for the info guys. I was a little leary of using a damp cloth on them because i didnt know if the water would hurt them or not. I think i will wipe them down tomarrow. They are getting a bit too dusty for my liking. lol.

thanks jason

Jason,
I have done skin mounts for more than 27 years. Most fish after they are painted has a polyurethane coat or two over the paint job. this seals the fish, and pulls all the semi-transparent colors through each other. Poly is a liquid plastic. there is no problem using a damp SOFT cloth for wipeing and cleaning your fish. don’t use a very wet one, just damp is fine. and be gentle, and wipe the fish from head to tail, not tail toward the head. care should be used doing fins, as not all fins are backed or protected the same. good luck.. Jack..

Jack;

I have a big pike I had mounted years back. I wish at the time I would have talked to the taxidermist more on what the “plan was”, however I didn’t realize that taxidermist don’t finish the “back” of the fish.

Can a guy go back and get this done? I really don’t like the big strip of black felt along the back of the fish.

Can you do this??? What kind of cost can a guy expect???

gary I worked for a taxidermist for about five years and almost all of the fish mount were done (one sided) unless asked. it is alot more difficult to do a 3D mount on a fish b/c you cant hide the cut. I dont think you can have it redone b/c under the felt is a gap in the skin with stiching between. plus it would be difficult to match the paint.