Preparation, Prevention, Shipping & Storage
Preparation
- Remove excess chunky flesh (fat, meat, membrane)
- Turn ears
- Split lips, nose and eye lids
- Utilize wood rack with spacing ½ inch spacing. Lay skin hair side down stretch skin, preventing folds or wrinkles
- Generously apply first salting for 24 hours. Make sure to rub into leather
- Shake off saturated salt
- Second salting an additional 24 hours, Make sure to rub generously into leather
- After second salting, hang hair side-down over wooden 2×4 or PVC 2-inch pipe. Make sure pole or pipe is off ground, preferably hung mid neck
- When skin whitens 80% dry and slight flexibility, fold cape as seen on instructions below
Salting
- 1st salting 24 hours, shake off the saturated salt and apply a 2nd coat of new salt for an additional 24 hours, shake off 2nd application of saturated salt, then hang to dry on wood pole/post until the skin is about 80% dried and can be folded in a box.
- Only time a fan may be used helping air circulate is after second salting.
- Never place fan at any time during 1st or 2nd salting.
Prevention
- Folding may help prevent cracks or breaks and prevent ears, lips, nose, feet or tail from cracking or breakage
- Folding allows you to fit more skins per box.
- Additional prevention: Wad up paper and fill inside corners of box. Securely fasten box or crate
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Avoid exposure to help prevent cracks or breaks
Anything cape or life-size that comes with cracks or breaks is due to exposure. Exposure is any portion of lips, nose, ears, muzzle, or chin sticks out when not folded. Not folded may be susceptible to cracks or breaks. This may happen during shipping (skins shifting inside box).
Shipping
Folding allows fitting more skins per box. Stuff the inside corners of box with wadded up paper or newspaper.
Newspaper will help aid in keeping skins cool and additionally keep skins from shifting within box during shipping.
- Lay sheets of newspaper or craft paper between each skin. Paper absorbs moisture and repels heat
- Wad-up paper and fill in inside corners of box and securely fasten box or crate
- Only dry salted or 80% semi pliable skins are accepted
- Skins that are wet and in plastic bag are not accepted. Bacteria/mold will grow and potential issues – such as slip – may become a concern
Storing
Do
- Store in cool, slightly ventilated area. This helps keep skins fresh from the elements
- After second salting, hang to dry an additional 24 hours. Place skin in ventilated area to aid drying process. If fanning, place in different area than the first and second salting room
- Keep facility free of mice and pets. Chewing and urination may happen
- Keep insects away. Use pesticide or mothballs to prevent insects from eating skin. Do not spray pesticide directly on skin
Don't
- Place skin on cement floor. Cement floor draws moisture to any salted skin and allow mold to grow which causes slippage
- Leave outdoors attempting to dry skin in sun. Sun’s heat may solidify fibers, hardening skin. Or muggy weather will keep skin damp now allowing to dry out
- Place fan directly on skin at 1st or 2nd salting. Direct air on skin while fresh will dry up leather, preventing salt from penetrating and flushing out natural oils
- Freeze freshly salted skins
In the summertime if we receive a box with live bugs. We are forced to spray killing off bugs*
If excessive box will be returned to sender. Additional fees may be applied.