I have a set of antlers from a deer I killed last year and I left them out in the sun too long. So now they are all bleached out. Does anyone have any advice for restoring them back to a natural look? any info is appreciated.

i like to use minwax dark walnut whwn ever i do horn work it gives a good tone to them.

I tried some "Mastercraft" poly stain,it has some polyurithane mixed with the stain and all you do is rub it on.The harder the surface ,the lighter the color will be when you "polish" the stain.You just keep polishing the tine ends and you"ll get a polished look.

Splittoe
This is the remedy I used a coule years ago,
Brew up some coffee, soak your antlers in them until you get the darkness you want.
It looks natural and it,s cheap.
Roman

Oil them ,It takes a couple treatments.Then get some paste brown shoe polish in one of those tins. just a little at a time brush it on the antlers then wipe it off with a rag. use the shoe polish a little at a time till you get the color you want.The oil will even take away some of those small cracks.

Just like coyote hunter I use a stain but I use pecan color. It works really good.

I have always used motor oil to tuen mine back, ive also heard of useing wood stain, like walnut or cherry. Good Luck

PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals

A solution of potassium permanganate is what taxidermists use...It's a purple solid that mixes into a purple liquid..it is painted onto the antlers and wiped off after about 5 or 10 minutes. It turns a rich brown color and can be feathered.

Gotta be a taxidermist or a chemist to get it though.

In lieu of permanganate I'd use the stains mentioned...

Thanks for the input guys.

Good Luck This Season!

i agree with using the potassium permanganate. i have used it for quite a while now to color antlers i have used for knife handles. really polishes up nice with a buffing wheel. i have a great 13 pt. set given to me by my bro-in-law that was almost snow white from exposure to the sun. i stained them and mounted the skull on a board and put it up on the wall. he bought the story i made up about the one i shot that got away to be found later. didn't even recognize the antlers as the ones he had given me. i got my pot. perm. from the local drug store. cost a bit, but a little goes a long way. have fun and good hunting!!