Head Quarters Tanning Chemicals

Taxi-Tan 581

This product was formulated for those who wish to pickle, tan and oil all in one step. All you need to do is add salt, then neutralize when finished. A fresh, pickled, unsalted cape can be completely shaved and tanned in three days or less. This tan has excellent hair-setting properties plus good stretch. Complete instructions noted on each bottle.

HQ Tan 5000

By drawing from over 35 years of tanning experience at Carolina Fur Dressing plus using components that navi_contact use daily, Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply now offers a rub-on home tan. The HQ Tan 5000 produces a 100 percent tanned skin with grainy white leather, superb stretch and simple directions to follow. Tested in-house on capes and mounted heads by the Head Quarters team, and used by local taxidermists for their customers with excellent results, this tan is more effective, better priced and proven. Pickle required.

HQ PT500

The Preservant Tan (PT) is an alternative method for those who do not want to pickle but need an instant curing method. The PT500 offers higher quality hair setting and skin preserving properties than a powder preservative. No pickle required.

Lutan FN

Lutan has a proven track record in taxidermy tanning. Producing white soft leather with plenty of stretch, Lutan works well on all mammals, yielding an indefinite shelf life in dry tans. Used by ounces per gallon or ounces per weight of skin, Lutan can be adjusted to fit any in-house tanning needs. Skins must be pickled, tanned and oiled before using Lutan.

Alum

Our low-iron technical grade alum is a granulated tanning agent that when properly used and neutralized produces an excellent tan with superior stretch. This product can also be used as a pre-tan alongside a final synthetic tan.

Safe Pickle Acid

With formic acid being highly hazardous around your home and shop, this safe pickle acid is an outstanding substitute to use for pickling skins. Used in a properly mixed pickle along with agitation, this acid swells the skin for easy shaving and eliminates protein and glue for adequate tan penetration. Remember to monitor pH closely when using this product.

Citric Acid

A dry granular pickling agent, this natural product works great in taxidermy tanning to produce a “white grainy” pickled skin that is easily shaved thin and ready to accept the tan.

HQ Degreaser/Cape Washing Agent

No skin is truly tanned until all natural oils and greases are removed. This commercial tannery degreaser is now being made available to home and in-shop taxidermy tanners. Light applications are needed for deer, but a heavier dosage is required for fur bearers, hogs, domestic sheep and large cats.

HQ Hide Relaxor

This product is used in rehydration for “wetting-back” glazed over extra hard-dried skins. It is a must for air-dried beavers, trapper-dried furs and African pieces. Used in conjunction with the HQ Degreaser in the rehydration and pickle bath, you will be pleased at how much faster skins soak up.

HD-100X

A thick, solvent-based degreaser, the HD-100X works great on bears and fur bearers where degreasing is always a problem during the tanning of these type skins. Start by using five ounces of HD-100X per gallon of saltwater and increase the HD-100X as needed if working with an older, greasy skin. If skin is yellow-colored and extremely greasy, HD-100X can be swabbed on the flesh side and let set for 12 hours or more before the first rehydration. This will help break down the penetrated grease before you start the tanning process.

HQ Degreaser/Cape Washing Agent

No skin is truly tanned until all natural oils and greases are removed. This commercial tannery degreaser is now being made available to home and in-shop taxidermy tanners. Light applications are needed for deer, but a heavier dosage is required for fur bearers, hogs, domestic sheep and large cats.

HQ Hide Relaxor

This product is used in rehydration for “wetting-back” glazed over extra hard-dried skins. It is a must for air-dried beavers, trapper-dried furs and African pieces. Used in conjunction with the HQ Degreaser in the rehydration and pickle bath, you will be pleased at how much faster skins soak up.

HD-100X

A thick, solvent-based degreaser, the HD-100X works great on bears and fur bearers where degreasing is always a problem during the tanning of these type skins. Start by using five ounces of HD-100X per gallon of saltwater and increase the HD-100X as needed if working with an older, greasy skin. If skin is yellow-colored and extremely greasy, HD-100X can be swabbed on the flesh side and let set for 12 hours or more before the first rehydration. This will help break down the penetrated grease before you start the tanning process.

HQ Dried Blood Remover

This product is very helpful when trying to remove dried blood in hair or wool. First, you need to wet the bloody hair with cold water, apply product and massage it into the troubled spot. After setting 15 minutes, use a garden hose or water under pressure to “blast-out” the clotted and dissolved blood. Several applications may be needed in difficult “rock hard” areas. (Note: This product only removes blood on hair surface. Blood that has saturated into the hair shaft may need to be bleached out.)

Soda Ash/Sal Soda

This powder product is great for neutralizing pickles, tans and wastewater before it is disposed of. Much stronger than baking soda, a smaller amount is required to do the job. Soda Ash is also used in boiling skulls, bone and antler plates to help dissolve protein, fat and grease, and can help speed up the boiling process in order to eliminate damage to the bone.

Sodium Bicarbonate

A milder neutralizing agent made for in-shop tanning; Sodium Bicarbonate raises pH on pickle, tanning solution or wastewater before disposal down the drain.

HQ White Softening Oil

A true softening oil that is compatible with most taxidermy tans. Once skin is shaved and tanned, but while still damp (not wringing wet), simply swab on oil, let hang to penetrate and dry, then drum and break or either soak up to mount. This oil, when cut with water 50/50 is an excellent softening agent for domestic sheep and small mammals. For best results, skins need to be pickled, shaved, completely degreased, tanned and neutralized before applying softening oil.

HQ Dried Blood Remover

This product is very helpful when trying to remove dried blood in hair or wool. First, you need to wet the bloody hair with cold water, apply product and massage it into the troubled spot. After setting 15 minutes, use a garden hose or water under pressure to “blast-out” the clotted and dissolved blood. Several applications may be needed in difficult “rock hard” areas. (Note: This product only removes blood on hair surface. Blood that has saturated into the hair shaft may need to be bleached out.)