Alligator Restoration

[kcraig1]

I am a volunteer at a nature center. We have received a donation of a taxidermy alligator. It is quite old and faded from being in the sun. We want to restore the hide to as close to original condition as possible. We are complete amatuers and do not know how to start. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

The alligator was legally hunted and has a tag attached indicating that it was taken legally.

[Roger Koh]

Post some pictures and we can go from there!


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

[kcraig1]

Originally Posted by Roger Koh

Post some pictures and we can go from there!


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

I will be at the Nature Center later this week and will take some photos to post.
Thanks for your reply
Ken

[kcraig1]

back.jpg

Close up back.jpg

Foot.jpg

Nose.jpg

Tail.jpg

The above attachments show various areas on the alligator. The colors are fairly true. The alligator was kept outside in the Florida sun and rain for years prior to being donated to the nature center. We would appreciate any advice as to how to proceed with restoration of the alligator.
Ken

[Roger Koh]

Here are the pictures posted from Photobucket!

See how to post pictures here: http://www.leathercleaningrestoratio...read.php?t=148

#1 Nose


#2 Back


#3 Close-Up-Back


#4 Foot


#5 Tail

[Roger Koh]

We shall proceed with the restoration in stages:

1 Restoration Cleaning:
This phase is to remove all foreign contamination and setting the pH of the leather right.

2 Leather Rejuvenating:
This phase is to hydrate the leather so that colors may wick back from the leather structure to the surface that may reduce the sun-fading.
And fatliquor to replenish the original oils and fats put into the leather to have them more supple to reduce cracking from dryness.

3 Leather Preservation:
This phase is to treat with bactericide and fungicide against bacteria and mold infestation.

4 Re-tanning:
This is a possibility with paint-on tanning process but would post a technical challenge only for the experience.

What do you think, before we go into details what you need and how you do it!

And as you post your progress I shall guide you in every step to see the project through.

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

[kcraig1]

Roger,

I am ready to try. Where do I start, i.e. what do I need in the way of materials, processes etc. I realize this may take some time but I am willing to make the attenpt.

Ken

[Roger Koh]

I suggest we start testing out Phase 1 & 2 on a small area section of the foot to see how the skin response.

This will also enable us to gauge how much more material we may need to complete the project.

And this Leather Care Starter Kit-A250 would be a better choice with the mini-sprayer.




With Phrase 3 Leather Preservation add-on



I will go through the details once you have the material at hand.


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®