I have sets of deer antlers on a covered porch. They are out of the sun, but have gotten quite dull and dried out. Can anyone give me some tips on how to restore them?

The old standby is a 50/50 mix of linseed oil and turpentine.

If the horns are badly cracked the may need to be oiled and sanded or rubbed down to close up the cracking prior to staining.

If not then potassium permanganate is the best stain I have found for coloring antlers. You can put it on yep it's purple and it turns the horns a deep rich brown. It can be sanded or buffed to bring out natural lighter highlights and more or a stronger concentration can be used for the darker areas.

After the horns are stained you can use baby oil to seal and add some life back into the horn or you can use a mixture of baby oil and old english dark wood oil formula to give it a bit more color and luster.

Below is a family heirloom whitetail rack. This historic buck was taken around 1885 on the Monarch homeplace in Breckinridge County KY. Deer disappeared in that region around that period not to be seen again until the late 1930s or early 1940s.

[IMG]http://www.mikescustomtaxidermy.com/images/Photo/old%20deer%20rack%20mount%20(1).jpg[/IMG]

front view picture won't post see it here


The old rack had laid in a barn for many years and had been chewed by rodents. We restored most of the damage without reducing the original characteristics of what might be the oldest known trophy taken in KY



The rack is now on display still on the same property it was originally taken at Judge Sam Monarch's home.

Best Regards
Mike O

Thanks guys! I will try your ideas this winter.

Potassium Permanganate, as Madabula says, is the best stain. Apply several coats in areas that should be darker and less on the tips, etc. Be careful not to let it collect in drops as it dries as you will get darker spots. Then sand/buff it so it shades the way you like and use the baby oil.