Cleaning Fish Mounts

[IceIceBaby]

I finally got my family room cleaned up enough to put up a fish mount that has been gathering dust for a couple of years. So, it's coated pretty good with a sticky dust residue. Any suggestions on what to use to clean it. Or, should I take it to a taxidermist?

It's the only big fish I ever caught, lol. But, it is a dandy....50 pound king salmon from the Kenai on a trip of a lifetime 9 years ago. My brother caught a 70 pounder minutes after I caught mine.

So, I'd like to be especially careful with it.

Thanks,

Al

[smeese]

Maybe that air in a can for dusting electronics or an air compresser? You should post a pic when it is cleaned up. SOunds sweet!

[harvey lee]

Just take a damp cloth and wipe away the dirt. If its real dirty, make sure to use a clean rag each wipe and it will come out pretty nice. Just be careful around the fins.

[LOTWSvirgin]

I use the can of air to works great. I also brin gmy mounts back to the taxi here and there to have him do it an do touch up if needed. But he is also a good friend of mine

[Glockwinger]

When we lost my Father-in-law this summer, we inherited six walleye mounts and a 40" northern mount. He was a smoker, so they were pretty dingy. All I did was carefully use a damp to wet paper towel and gently wipe away the years of grime. It took a long time, but they look good now. The yellowing from the smoke is still there, but the built up dirt and dust came off with some effort. Here is one of them that I put in my wheelhouse:

[Surface Tension]

I use a soft cloth or feather duster. Just be careful around the fins and wipe in a direction from head to tail. I'll also use Windex for a deeper clean.

[fishersofmen]

I know the guy who did my fish uses automobile clear coat to cover the fish. In that case I would think you could use just about anything. Heck maybe you can even put a coat of wax on to shine them up.

[harvey lee]

I would be careful using different cleaners on a mount as one does not know what was used as a finich clear coat. I could have been a water base or anything else.

Water and a rag will clen it up pretty nice. Just wipe the same direction as the scales and not against them.

[IceIceBaby]

That's a nice mount there, Glockwinger. Thanks to all of you for the suggestions!

[Walterwontfalter]

A taxidermist buddy told me to use windex on a paper towel but not too wet and wipe carefully from head to tail. If it's getting kind of dull buy a can of clear spray paint and spray it lightly after cleaning.

[straydog]

I use pledge.