I need advise on refurnishing bull skulls and horns

So this really doesn’t pertain to shed hunting but I have a few bull skulls that has been out in the weather and I would like to refurnish them .. The horns are somewhat flaky. I was told to sand them off and it will polish them up..
Has anyone ever done this?? If so I would appreciate any suggestions before I start..
Thanks, Care
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9,192
Hunt_Rez
I have no clue but look at the way them bulls in the background are looking at you holding that bull skull they have a mix of (???) and [-o< ....but Im looking at this pic like 10sign:
2
AGCHAWK
I honestly have no idea but it sure would look nice in my living room or my game room!!

Hopefully someone here can help out a bit cause it is certainly worth restoring if possible.
2
sawsman
Sand the horns lightly with a fine grit wet automotive sand paper. After they have dried you can seal them with Krylon clear coat semi-gloss sealer. After the sealer has dried you can mask the bases and then proceed with bleaching the skull.

If your not too picky, you can just paint the skull with a white paint. If it is going to be an inside showpiece I would do the full bleaching process and then seal it. Is the skull pretty clean? Or is there old dried tissue and such in/on it?
2
AntlersOutWest
It looks like he attempted to boiled the skulls, they are pretty clean there is just a little old dried crud. I was going to take it down to the car wash tonight and see if I ould blast it of then start cleaning the skull better..
Im going to hang it in my living room, so yes I want to bleach it..
What bleaching process do you use?

Thanks a ton for all your info!
2
chet
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0009993224376a&navCount=1&podId=0009993&parentId=cat280001&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20712-cat601138-cat280001&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat280001&hasJS=true
2
sawsman
After you power wash it, you'll want to degrease the skull. Especialy since it has been "boiled" and since you want to hang it on the wall in your house. I personaly would want it as bright white as possible, so you have to make sure to get the grease out of the bone. If you dont the bone will turn yellow over time no matter what product or how much you bleach it.

If you want it to look real good and white and have it stay that way, shoot me a PM and I'll give you all the details. If your not real serious about how white it is, just hang it on the wall natural style. Some prefer the natural look.
2
BIG R
My wife is a taxidermist and she said the same thing.Sawman hit it rigth on the head.There are some really good products out there,if you need any other info let me know,but it sounds like sawman has got you pretty well lined out.
2
AntlersOutWest
I havent done anything to the skull yet because the weather has been lousy here... Its been snowing :>/

But I appriciate all your comments and replys.. You guys are always helpful! =D>
Hopefully I can started this weekend.
2
northern
What ever you do . DON"T USE BLEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Use peroxide or a peroxide paste. If you use bleach it will eat the skull over time. It will also make the skull flakey.
2
AntlersOutWest
I made the mistake of using bleach on a elk skull about 4 years ago. It looks terrible and flakes off real bad. Will not do that again..
2