Borax?

[thorsmightyhammer]

I see in Joel's cat picture post he dry washes the cats with borax.

What are the benefits of borax if you dont mind my asking?

[Bob Jameson]

Borax is an economical preservative and acts as an astringent as well. It will aid in drying fur, greasy spots and prevent souring spots around the head, ear butts, nose etc. on the hide when briskly applied. Prevents slippage. Many use it on coon,cat canine head and neck areas immediately after putting on a stretcher.

Especially effective for fur storage and drying areas that are prone to warming periods during your storage and drying process.Many use heat in their sheds and cause a warming cycle that is conducive to promote slippage at times. Many a pelt is lost or down graded due to spoilage as a result of this occurance.

Borax is not a cure all for poor fleshing however it is an aide in preserving tissue and combating bacteria growth when used in a reasonable manner.

[td]

I rarely use it, but understand it's use on the skin. I thought they were talking about using it on the fur side. Can anybody clarify and give a few details on procedure. If it's a secret, I understand. ;D

[bobwendt]

on the fur, all over and rub in hard and then whip. it grows fur. if you don`t think so do it and compare the before and after . and it really is a secret to make cats better ,and even better yet.

[td]

I rubbed a little on the belly of a cat to get rid of a little grease on the skirt. Turned the black spots gray and had to comb and shake and maybe wet, don't remember, to get it out. Was scared to do the whole thing as my cats are bad enough wo/ gray spots. lol

What am I missing?

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I use it to "brighten" the fur. That is what it is used for in the laundry.

It is good for getting the grease out around the edges of the legs and crotch. It will take the pink blood stains out as well.

Bill Ilchik told me once that washing a cat fur takes the "life" out of it and I believe that.

I got the idea from Jim Underwood in Jerome Idaho. He had a fur tumbler that he used a mix of borax, corn cob grit and some kind of solvent.

Man his fur looked like a million bucks.

Borax does several things but the brightener function is the main reason to use it.

I like to use an air compressor to blow the residue out, it fluffs the fur and puts static electricity in the fur so it pops when the buyer shakes it.

Joel

[ScottW]

On that note, I would mention to others, be careful blowing it out with an air compressor if you run an extremely high pressure. It won't matter for most, but for big compressors I can see people going overboard. Might not be an issue, but I think it's something to be careful about. Happy trapping. ScottW

[Steve Gappa]

anyone ever use any "whiteners" on cats or more likely coyotes? I tried some peroxide on a rag on one that was real nice, but had a dingy belly. Didn't see any difference but I used only a small amount.

[bobwendt]

I have, and it worked so good it scared me. tell you about this summer at the fta. long story

[cflann]

Come on, Bob! You can't leave us hangin' here! Did it glow in the dark?

[bobwendt]

turned a dingy coyote belly snow white and looked perfect. I`ll never sell another off colored coyote the rest of my life.

[musher]

Do you just rub the peroxide on the belly with a rag? Is it easier to do while the hide is on the carcass? What do you think it would do to a lynx belly?

Thanks.

[thorsmightyhammer]

Think borax or peroxide work to lighten the color of an otter?

[bobwendt]

I didn`t use peroxide, tried, it turned them red like a negro trying to dye blond. geese, I won`t get shot for saying negro will I?

[td]

I tried peroxide and did nothing. We did get some stuff from another dealer. He got it from a hair dresser. Mixed up into a white paste. Apply it to affected area, let dry and comb out. Turned red crotch white. Sometimes turned pinkish orange. A second application would fix it.
We did a few, but those thin bellied rub backs look pretty funky with a snow white belly. Dominion/soudack bought one. Graded a big, dark coarse one Northwestern when most of ours graded southwestern or central.