The process for cleaning the jaws is as follows:
The jaw is removed from the head and cleaned thoroughly of all meat, mucous membrane and blood. The membrane covering the back teeth is also removed.
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The jaw is removed from the head and cleaned thoroughly of all meat, mucous membrane and blood. The membrane covering the back teeth is also removed. |
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The jaws are soaked in a de-greasing solution for 12
hours
then immersed in the bleaching solution for about 4-5 days. |
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The jaws are removed and placed in cold water and detergent for a further 24 hours. The jaws are placed on a drying board and stainless steel wires are placed around the jaw and tensioned according to the shape of the jaw. The jaws are left on the drying board for between 5-6 weeks, depending on drying conditions. They are constantly monitored and the wires re-tensioned regularly. Once dried, the jaws are removed from the board and examined for imperfections. A Dremel rotary tool is used to remove irregularities and smooth out the edges of the jaw. It is also used for smoothing out the gum line. After the Dremel tool, the jaws are sandpapered with fine sandpaper to give it a glassy sheen and remove any colour irregularities. This process usually takes about 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the jaws. Any cracks and gouges are filled in and sandpapered. Once the jaws are perfectly clean, and smooth, they are wiped and prepared to be given 2-3 coats of taxidermist lacquer. This lacquer is totally clear and will not yellow over the years, unlike other lacquers. The jaws are allowed to dry and lightly sanded between coats. |
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