Author Topic: straightening feathers in a tail mount  (Read 296 times)

Offline PA Boxcall

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straightening feathers in a tail mount
« on: March 20, 2012, 08:47:18 PM »
I had the fan from the bird I killed last spring mounted.  It was an old bird and his fan was in great shape, and nice and wide.

Great shape that is until I took possession from the taxidermist....

I had it laid out flat nice and neat in a corner until my next trip to camp when we mount the fan on the wall, and without thinking I laid my parka over in the same corner.  The weight of the coat put a few wrinkles in the tail feathers.  Seems like they have a pretty good memory...

Any tips you guys might have to straighten the feathers back out so they lay flat again?
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat."  Jim Spencer

Offline Zumer

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Re: straightening feathers in a tail mount
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2012, 08:49:06 PM »
Try using the steam from an iron......
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Offline triune

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Re: straightening feathers in a tail mount
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2012, 09:42:42 PM »
I've always had luck just soaking in water then blow dry with hair dryer after original cleaning.  I wash all my tail fans with Dawn and let them soak a while.  Rinse them out, roll up in towel then blow dry.
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Offline BKA

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Re: straightening feathers in a tail mount
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2012, 10:20:06 PM »
Well, this might help. I normally boil some water in a big pot and let the steam flow up through the feathers I intend to use for painting. They seen to regain there shape after the steaming. Have used the same tec. for arrow fletching for years.
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Offline PA Boxcall

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Re: straightening feathers in a tail mount
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2012, 10:26:25 PM »
I was thinking steam too.  Thanks for the help guys, I have a few options here, surely something will work.  ITs not terrible, just a couple feathers, just more mad at myself than anything for not being more careful.   >:(

Was surprised that the feather had that much memory and so resistant to straightening.
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat."  Jim Spencer