Fish Mount repair

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31 August 2010, 07:27

ramrod340

quote:
bleed through as in paint or grease

It is some type of red substance that has bled through the paint. I thought it was blood but it could have been some type of body oil or grease. Probably 70% of it appeared before the mount arrived at the house years ago. It was mounted in Canada shipped to Denver. There has been more appear over the years. I'll try and get a picture which would save me 1000 words.

When I caught it the reproduction they had at the lodge SUCKED. Looking back I wish I had taken more pictures and had a reproduction made and released it.

Hindsight being 20/20

As usual just my $.02
Paul K

31 August 2010, 18:21

L. David Keith

Paul, it most likely is grease, especially if the LT has any size to it (over 10 lbs). Grease would usually appear over time around the head, tail and fins as it is very difficult to remove the fat from inside remaining bones on a skin mount. You can have the head and fins replaced, but the cost could be prohibitive, especially by a top studio. It might be worth replacing the trout with a reproduction. You can take a look at Advanced Taxidermy in Canada. I think Shawn is in ONT. They produce some of the best reproduction fish work I've seen, and I've seen a lot. They display at Dallas every year and it's a treat to see what they will bring the next year. Last year it was a tail walking Tarpon and a "Trout in stream" wine cabinet (they produce fine furniture as well). Their web site: Advanced Taxidermy

31 August 2010, 18:55

ramrod340

quote:
it most likely is grease, especially if the LT has any size to it (over 10 lbs).

Well since the LT weighed 32# grease then would be my guess. When it is on the wall the majority of it doesn't show. But when I took it down for the move it reminded me.

If there is no easy way to clean it off (just a wild hope on my part)then when it gets to the point I can't live with it I'll replace it with a repro.

Thnaks for all help and advice.

As usual just my $.02
Paul K

31 August 2010, 20:41

L. David Keith

You might be able to remove the grease with Turpentine. If the fish was painted with lacquer, the turp shouldn't effect it. However, the grease may have dissolved some of the paint beneath, so spot check a place on the back side of your fish. Try a Q-tip to apply the turpentine. Sometimes this will take the grease right off. It will remove the shine to clear lacquer, so beware. 32# is a whopper, congrats!
David

01 September 2010, 06:47

TMTAXIDERMY

I have cleaned quite a few of these grease heads. It is grease/oil. Best bet is a repro as suggested but that will cost a bit. Most of the oils will be on the lower gill area, tongue. Wipe off with laquer thinner with rag. Wipe very good. Stay on just the white area of the fish. then it is an easy paint job with an airbrush to just touch up the white (after using a good sealer). Put new clear coat on for the wet look. I would take it to a fish taxidermist and let him do this, it won't be perfect but it will look mucho better!! and shouldn't cost very much for this. But, again if you want the best solution that will last forever get a repro done. You don't need pics of the actual fish, just find a pic that looks like your fish and take it to the taxidermist (do a picture search on google, find a pic in magazine, etc.) Get the measurements off the mount and with the pics you should get a great job from a good repro taxidermist. When choosing your taxidermist don't just look at his LM Bass to decide quality, Lake Trout are much harder to paint (repro) and make look real. Insist on seeing his lake trout repro's. Good luck!