Elk Antler

[ken s]

I've been doing grips for decades, ivory, (bring it back idiots in Washington) wood, customs, and now elk.

I've made three sets so far for my Ruger Single six. and just fit a new set to the stainless grip frame I bought.
Looks great. but
question...any tricks to lighten, clean, or stain?
clean .... ammonia? cleaning solutions? bleach? tooth paste (which works wonders on ivory...it's gemological 'dentine' material..duh.....) tooth whitening strips?
and stain,,,tea? mix powder color and shellac or semi poly, shoe stain? that's kind of harsh...
I high buff with the white stick for the grip, shines like glass, but it creates a black residue that gets into the pores. I want to clean that out.
the black stick works great on the stainless by the way. mirror polish. Red stick after black makes it shine like silver!
It's cold on Cape Cod...need something to do.....All the in-laws coming for Christmas...have to hide on the workbench.
Merry Christmas All....Ken

 

[winchester37]

don't have any real experience with antlers, but for cleaning the stains from cleaned skulls the best is 6-9 strength hydrogen peroxide, available from beautician's supply houses. ask you wife's hair dresser to get you a quart(you have to be licensed to get it).....not really expensive and ten-20 times stronger than what you buy over the counter......chlorine and ammonia will leach calcium and cause the bone to crumble.

 

[Cracker-American]

I have has some success dying sheds after they have been bleached by the elements. I use Rit dye cut with alcohol. And I blend it to suit the circumstances. Sunshine Orange with brown worked best for antlers IIRC.

As far as polishing the antlers I use just a buffing pad loaded with white compound,

 

[ken s]

Thanks guys. peroxide sounds like something to try. I'll test on waste pieces first. And yes, the white compound is the best
Ken