James Edgar of Authentic Taxidermy Supply ( www.authentictaxidermy.com ) is an experienced, award-winning taxidermist who knows all the tricks of the trade. From his years of industry experience as both a working taxidermist and an taxidermy educator, Edgar knows that accurately reproducing antlers is one of the most common yet often difficult tasks in the business. He has spent years refining his process, testing countless techniques and mold making materials in a search for the perfect reproduction.
Enter the Dragon Skin®
Smooth-On's Dragon Skin® is a high performance platinum cure silicone rubber that can be mixed 1A:1B by weight or volume and cures at room temperature with negligible shrinkage to a Shore 10A. Cured Dragon Skin® is very soft, very strong and very “stretchy”. It will stretch many times its original size without tearing and will rebound to its original form without distortion.
Complex antlers specimens require a mold making material that is flexible and strong enough to be removed without tearing. James Edgar, and many other taxidermists around the world find Dragon Skin® to be the perfect choice.
For more about Authentic Taxidermy Supply, including information about Edgar's own taxidermy school, visit their website at: www.authentictaxidermy.com
1 - Ease Release® 200 is applied to the antlers, which have been secured to plywood.
2 - A first coat of Dragon Skin® is applied in a thin layer to prevent air bubbles.
3 - A second, pigmented coat of Dragon Skin® is applied evenly over the first coat.
4 - The final layer of Dragon Skin® is pigmented and applied
5 - Shims are applied to provide separation of the sections of the mother mold.
6 - The first section of the Plasti-Paste® mother mold is applied.
7 - Universal Mold Release® prevents the second part of the shell from sticking to the first.
8 - The final section of the Plasti-Paste® mother mold is completed.
9 - When fully cured, the sections of the mother mold are separated and removed.
10 - When fully cured, the sections of the mother mold are separated and removed.
11 - The mold is then cut along one side.
12 - The super soft and stretchy Dragon Skin® silicone can then be pulled away from the antlers.
13 - The rubber mold is seated in the mother mold to prepare it for casting.
14 - Drywall screws are used to tightly close the shell and secure it to the board.
15 - Smooth-Cast® 300 liquid plastic is mixed and poured into the mold.
16 - The casting is an exact replica of the original antlers.
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