Polishing antler

Discussion in 'DIY (Do It Yourself)' started by Menace, Sep 20, 2017.

  1. Menace

    Menace Member

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    I made a bead today from a deer antler of a deer I killed lady year.

    20170920_150444.jpg

    M6 question is, has anyone else ever polished antler before. I was hoping it would be whiter, the ends came out kind of grey.
     
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  2. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    @SEMO likely can help ya.
     
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  3. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    If you use dark sandpaper on it, the grit will stick in the porous parts of the inside.
    Use a yellow or tan sandpaper and it will not show up.
    Also seal the ends by filling the pours with super glue as soon as you cut, and before you sand.
    That should help.

    Nice looking bead!
     
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  4. Menace

    Menace Member

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    Thanks for the tip. Initially, I used a sanding wheel on a Drexel to shape it but then I used yellow 320 grit paper to smooth it out. Shouldn't that have gotten all the grit stuck in the pores out?

    Also, if applying super glue prior to sanding, wouldn't it just be removed during the sanding process?
     
  5. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    The super glue fills up the pores and polishes nicely.
    Sometime the porous parts are naturally grey.
     
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  6. Menace

    Menace Member

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    Thanks for the insight!
     

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