I have a few questions since this is my first time, and first deer ever.  I just dug up my mount from last years season and it cleaned up great the bugs were perfect.  however,  there is still some mud caked onto the skull.  Would hot water and dish soap work to soak it in without damaging anything? Also i noticed that the nose area of the skull is extremely brittle anything i should do about that? part of the tip of the nose did crack off but i was able to find it and the piece is still in tact, would i be able to somehow glue it back on or is that a bad idea, it doesn't look bad without it but if i could put it back on i would.  And then i think my last question for now is how would i put the lower jaw back on?  I found them both and they are in super good shape every tooth is still these and there not even loose now.  i am planning on bleaching just the skull with 50-50 bleach and water once i get it cleaned.  Thanks any advice would be appreciated.

I am guessing this was a buried in the dirt skull cleaning? Warm water approx. 120 degrees F. and Dawn Dish soap is normally used to degrease them, takes a couple weeks over heating will cause the bone to flake and break down. After the grease is out then you can seal it with Acetone and Paraloid B-72 Acrylic is what I use. It is a Museum Grade Acrylic that comes in crystals that you dissolve in the Acetone. I submerge them in it, It coats and soaks into the bone strengthening it. Then super glue your nose piece back in where it can from. Jeff

DO NOT USE BLEACH TO WHITEN!! Use peroxide, soak the skull in it for overnight and put it in the sun. The heat from the sun will whiten it. You will ruin it if you use bleach.

Thanks Brian I missed that part

Jeff

Not meaning to hijack the thread but when you use peroxide are you using the 3% over the counter or a stronger dose from beauty salon?  Also is this straight hydrogen?

3% will work just wrap int in plastic wrap and set it in the sun after you take it out of the peroxide the heat will build up in the wrap and do the job. If you aren't set up to handle the Industrial stuff most of us use it can cause severe burns. and has been known to destroy stuff especially metals.

I used the two part peroxide mix from the beauty supply store. Apply, let dry, rinse. Wait a day or so and repeat X 3 cycles. It may not be the right way, but it worked for me.
I'd keep the horns protected from the sun. I've heard of some folks wrapping their horns in tin foil.