Is it possible to keep your shotgun trophy after you have killed a python with it? Because it truly is a huge thing, my friend. What happens if you’re ready to skin it and discover that there isn’t any glycerin in the bottle? Isn’t it a pain in the neck to deal with? Don’t be concerned. When there is a will, there is always a way.
So, what are the best ways for tanning snakeskin that do not need the use of glycerin?
There are five distinct ways for tanning snakeskin that do not need the use of glycerin. You can utilize brain oil extracted from the animal’s brain. You can use tanning chemicals or a homemade solutions with lime and aluminum to get the desired results. You may even use borax to clean your house. If none of these options work for you, invest in a tanning kit and you’ll be set for a while.
But this was merely the nitty-gritty of tanning snakeskin without the use of glycerin, so to speak. If you wish to understand the real step-by-step procedure of tanning using these methods, please see our page on the subject.
What Makes a Difference in Snake Skin Tanning: Glycerin or No Glycerin?
A treatment that will make a snake’s skin soft and flexible is required if you want to have that lovely snakeskin look. Using the solution will not only keep the skin looking fresh and beautiful, but it will also eliminate the odor. The snakeskin will become dry and lose all of its glossy sheens if it is not treated with a tanning solution. Also, if you’re looking for a technique to keep snakeskin in good condition, tanning solutions may be able to assist you!
The combination of glycerin and alcohol is the most effective method of tanning snakeskin. In the event glycerin is not readily accessible, there are a variety of different techniques for tanning a snakeskin. Even better, you can tan snakeskins straight in your own home using everyday items!
If you didn’t have snakeskin, what glycerin substitutes would you use?
The conventional approach requires tanning snakeskin using glycerin and alcohol, which is a time-consuming process. However, because you are looking for alternatives to glycerin, there are five different ways for tanning snakeskin that you may attempt. Unlike the glycerin technique, they are a little more complicated, but they are also extremely effective. Furthermore, you may simply test them at home.
So, what is the best way to tan a snakeskin at home?
There are a variety of alternatives for tanning snakeskin in the comfort of your own home. The most popular method is tanning with salt/borax, which is described below. In addition to olive oil, brain oil will also be effective. The use of aluminum is yet another successful technique. In addition, you can utilize tanning chemicals or a tanning kit to assist you in your home canning endeavors.
Examine the stages of tanning a snakeskin in detail, as well as the other ways available:
Phase 1: Getting to Know the Snake
Before you begin tanning the snakeskin, you’ll need to fill out the skin a little bit first. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:
Fleshing beam/Tarp Fleshing blade Fleshing blade
Fleshing the snakeskin immediately after removing it from the animal’s body is critical if you don’t want the skin to decompose on your hands. It is possible that the skin will come apart throughout the tanning process due to decomposition.
You may either utilize a fleshing beam or a tarp on the ground to help flesh out the skin of your character. Using a sharp fleshing blade, you may simply scrape away any extra flesh or fat from the area.
Now that the skin has been fully freed of meat and fat, it is time to thoroughly cleanse and clean the skin. All you have to do is clean it with fresh water and soap. Make certain that there are no traces of blood or other contaminants present in the water.
It is now necessary to let the skin to dry for a few days before tanning it.
So, what is the best way to dry a snakeskin?
Attach the skin to a drying rack so that it may dry in an equal layer.
It is essential to ensure that the skin is stretched rather than just hanging on the drying rack. During this period, you can stretch out the skin if you desire a bigger hide. You’ll have to be patient because the drying process might take up to a week to complete.
Phase 2: Preparing the Snake for the Hunt
After your snake has been skinned and dried, we will proceed to the tanning stage of the procedure. Now, we’ve broken down the amount of tanning options available based on two different scenarios. You can tan using the items you have around the house. Alternatively, you may purchase tanning products that are specifically designed for tanning. Make certain that you select the one that is most convenient for you.
In the event that you are tanning snake skin at home without the use of glycerin
For a water moccasin to be eaten, you must first skin it and cook it in a pot. So, what exactly are you planning to do with the skin now? In fact, you may just use your own house to tan it. If you don’t have glycerin on hand, there are a variety of other chemicals you may use to tan snakeskin that you can make at home. Here are some of your alternatives to consider. –
Choice 1: Working With Brain Oil
It may seem strange to utilize the animal’s own brain to tan its own skin, but it works. However, did you know that the animal’s brain oils have the ability to serve as a natural tanning agent?
So, what is the best way to tan a snake skin with brain oil?
Put the brain in a cup of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once the brain combination has the consistency of soup, pour it into a blender and process until smooth. Preparation: Twist out the skin and massage it with two towels to absorb any excess water before applying the oil. Now massage the oil into the skin in a circular motion. Once you’ve completed this step, place the skin in a freezer bag and freeze for 24 hours.
The oil is absorbed by the snakeskin after it has been frozen.
Choice 2: Trying Out Homemade Tanning Chemicals
What if I told you that you could create your own tanning chemicals at home? This procedure consists of five phases, beginning with the fleshing and ending with the drying of the skin. So let’s get started with the process:
It is now time to tan the skin that has been exposed to salt for several weeks. Use a homemade tanning solution or a tanning chemical for tanning. Listed below are the materials you’ll need to make your own:
- 2 gallons of pure drinking water
- 12 gallons of bran flake water (about)
- 8 cups salt and 1 14 cup battery acid are used in this recipe.
- 1 box baking soda (optional)
- 2 big garbage cans are required.
- 1 big stick of butter for whisking
Simply combine these ingredients in a jar and carefully mix to obtain a tanning solution. For those who don’t want to go through the trouble of tanning, a tanning solution may be obtained by ordering one online. So, here are some of our favorite tanning products:
Take advantage of the fact that you have all of the materials prepared and begin the tanning process.
As a result, what is the best way to produce a DIY tanning solution for snake skin?
Begin by bathing the skin in clear water for a few minutes to allow the skin to absorb the product. Remove the inner skin that has dried out. Toss the salt into a garbage can along with 2 liters of boiling water and set it aside. Then, while stirring constantly, pour in the bran flake water and mix until the salt is completely dissolved. Finally, add the battery acid and mix well. Allow for 40 minutes of soaking time in the solution.
Choice 3: Tanning Using Pickle Lime And Aluminum
This is the quickest and most straightforward DIY alternative for you. You should utilize this approach if you choose to apply mink oil on your skin rather than other methods.
So, what is the best way to tan a snakeskin using pickle lime and aluminum?
Mix 1 cup pickle lime with 1 gallon of water until well combined. Keep the skin in the mixture for 7-10 days, stirring it every 2 days, and discarding it after that time. After 10 days, remove the skin from the jar and carefully wash it. Pour one gallon of water into a mixing bowl and add three teaspoons of aluminum powder. Soak the skin for three days and then rinse it off.
You’ll see that the skin’s scales begin to peel away from the body. Once it’s finished, carefully remove the skin and thoroughly wash it. Make certain that all of the water and metal has been squeezed out.
When You’re Tanning Snake Skin With The Help Of Products
We understand what you’re saying. The process of tanning a snakeskin might be intimidating at first. And it’s for this reason that you don’t want to take any chances. If such is the case, there are certain things that may be able to assist you in your endeavor. These items have been specifically created for use in the tanning process. Let’s have a look at some of the alternatives. –
Option 1: Using only Borax as a cleaning agent
In addition to using borax to color snakeskin, there are other efficient methods of tanning available. Because it just calls for a few components, it is a little less complicated than the other two procedures described above.
As a result, let us examine the procedure for salting the skin or tanning the snakeskin with salt–
Apply a sufficient quantity of borax to the affected area. 1 pound of ammonia alum should be added to 1 gallon of water and mixed until completely dissolved. Add 8 ounces of borax and 4 ounces of crystallized sodium carbonate to a 12-gallon bucket of water and mix thoroughly. Pour the borax solution into the ammonia solution while stirring constantly. It’s now time to immerse the skin in this solution for a few minutes.
Allow the snakeskin to soak for a total of 5 days. By soaking the skin in this solution, you may make the tanning process more efficient.
Option 2: Use Snake Tanning kit
Tanning kits are now the last resort for you, and you should avoid them at all costs. If nothing else seems to be working for you, you may consider investing in a tanning kit. Make use of this equipment to tan the skin of the snake you just killed with your own pistol shotshells by soaking it in coffee.
All of the other stages are the same whether or not you are using a tanning kit. In this case, however, you will not utilize snakeskin tanning oil, but rather the tanning kit. This kit is often comprised of a solution, a variety of oils, and other components. This can be a wonderful alternative for glycerin in some cases.
The methods listed above are all effective alternatives to using glycerin to tan snakeskin. Antifreeze, on the other hand, may be used to tan snakeskin in a different method.
Is it, however, safe to tan snakeskin with antifreeze?
The practice of tanning a snakeskin with antifreeze was formerly quite popular. However, in today’s world, that doesn’t work very well. Because it has been proven to cause damage and breakage to the snakeskin.
Phase 3: Snakeskin Preparation (Washing, Drying, and Preservation)
As soon as the tanning process is over, it is time to begin the cleaning procedure. In order to do so, you must first fill a bucket with clean water and then use a stick to move the skin to the bucket.
Wash the skin by swishing it around in the water and adding additional water until it is well cleaned. It is at this stage that you can add a box of baking soda if you plan to use the mixture to manufacture clothes. Otherwise, you may choose to skip it. After the snakeskin has been washed and dried, it is time to stretch and air dry it.
Drain all of the water out of the bowl and set it aside to dry on a drying rack. Stretch the skin as much as you can by placing it in a drier or a stretcher at this point. After a few days, it should be completely dry and elastic. Voila! The snakeskin is now completely finished.