How To Restore Color To Deer Antlers CHEAP!

I got this tip from a good friend of mine about 4 years ago while trying to figure out how to restore the color in a 210" set I found. I have used it on a bunch of year old antlers and it has worked great and costs virtually nothing! Hope this trick works as good for you while restoring your favorite sets

[@Wasatch_mobile_detail_llc]

Hey if you want to take the cracks away, before you color them use some wall board joint compound, rub it in the cracks, and it will look hard white again. After that you wipe the compound off gently with a wet cloth. Then you can recolor them, and they will look good as new!

[@flannelflax8078]

my friend had a few old antler sets he gave me. White as the skull it was on. did this method and it looks like a European style mount. Big thanks.

[@whitetailrealityoutdoors958]

One thing to remember is the bases and eye guards are always darker than the rest. It all should not be the same shade. I use darker shade around the bases.

[@edwinleach7401]

A friend gave me a bunch of antlers that were bleached out and I didn't know what to do. Now I know how to put color back into and make ink pens and pencils, etc. Thanks for sharing.

[@proudpict2057]

I found an antler in Glencoe Scotland, I like your process. The Glencoe antler will stay white bleached but I have a few others that I’ll tinker with and try your process.

[@jimmyadkins8490]

Man thanks so much for the video...it works I just tried it and couldn't have been happier with the results..thanks again man...

[@mikefoote6055]

I have used coffee for a long time .... however , I mix the coffee grains in warmed up pine sap . Pine sap when warmed up liquifies and turns darker . When it liquifies add the coffee grains and then apply it to the antlers . When it dries , take steel wool to it . When done it's a nice natural color , plus the pine sap acts as a sealant .

[@Alkihauler]

Mike Foote do you still spray clear on it or no?

[@Alkihauler]

Great video and clearly explained

[@JJ79_]

I just used acrylic paint mixed with lot of pouring medium. It worked perfectly and you can adjust color tint as you want.

[@jes7574]

Thanks soooo much for this tip. I just cleaned a 12 point buck skull for a European mount. This worked great, I used a local coffee but dark roasted beans.

[@timw1961]

Thanks! I need to do this to a couple mounts. Great video

[@imacgst27]

Great video man. Thank you for taking the time to show us the process.

[@EdOfTheNorth]

Drug store. Ask for Potassium Permanganate. Very inexpensive. Just pennies to do a full rack. You mix it with water and brush it on the antlers. Turns antlers darker and darker with repeated applications. It is a bleach so strong that it actually burns bone. When water dries off the bone is darkened. Goes on deep purple. Dries off leaving the antlers darkened. Leaves antlers looking very natural when applications completed. Can even be used to color only a portion of bone which has been scraped or rubbed too hard in transport. My go to product for 50 years of mounting moose, deer or elk racks in northern Canada.

[@Matt-Mayhem]

Wow that’s incredible. I would of never thought of using coffee

[@davidlotti5407]

Dark old English furniture polish then boiled linseed oil.

[@0118bigdawg]

I use brown shoe polish. I apply it with an old toothbrush and then just buff with a micro cloth. Once it is dry, it does not rub off and has UV protection.

[@lewiswereb8994]

Tried this on my horns and they shorted out to ground and stopped going "beep". Tried on antlers and works well.

[@peterstacy08]

Your method worked out perfectly for me, thank you for sharing. And you are correct about using the Starbucks French Roast it did the best job for sure, I tried some coffee that we already had and it really didn't add anything to the color. Thanks again!

[@HiddenInstinct]

That's great to hear. Glad it finally worked out for you. Thanks for watching

[@zaksaxton9428]

Just tried it on an older set i had. Turned out looking pretty good! Thanks for the video!

[@HiddenInstinct]

Awesome! Glad it worked out for you.

[@dondurkin7809]

Old English dark scratch cover works perfect

[@EddieCheong168]

The best and natural way is using tannin from tree bark/skin or crushed leafs, that's what those deer been rubbing. Rub on it, after a few days, it turn brown after oxygenated, repeat for deeper tone, it is permanent, never wash off. For shinning effects, polish lightly with 1000 grate or above sand paper, then lay blue jeans cloth with tooth paste on firm surface, holding antler down rubbing on cloth with adequate force. Especially good for making jewelry.

[@AlaskanChronicUser]

Potassium Pomegranate... Shyte works great 👍

[@kaliegitchell5180]

im excited 😊 thanks for sharing

[@SHADOWBEAR82763]

I've gotten good results with wood stain.

[@NFL88]

Great vid appreciate you posting it look really good. I personally found that a large wire brush with stiff bristles like a welder would use works really well forgiving that natural Streaked look of rubbed antlers. I had used the little foam sanding blocks and it didn't look as good (and not steel wool for what it's worth).

[@HiddenInstinct]

Josho8327 nice, I like hearing all the other methods people are using.

[@Josh-bz9hv]

I used shoe polish, works great

[@jstorm7757]

Found a couple of lefts yesterday, from the previous season. Past restoration, but this will help if we find any of this year's drops. Thanks!

[@lewiswereb8994]

I use waterproof brown India Ink. Brush on, wipe with cloth while wet.Tooth brush or small shop brush with rag works to remove excess from grooves.

[@markheidema3699]

Looks great, nice video. Tks for sharing.

[@awe898]

That's sweet! I'm going to have to try it!

[@HiddenInstinct]

Cache Jones Try it out man and let us know how it works for you. Thanks for watching

[@Georgecobb-s1v]

Thank you. Nice job!

[@jonathonwilson2268]

Nice work I’m giving it a go

[@28SHAWNSHAWN]

Great tip!

[@kathycullings4993]

Great!!! t thank you so much for the help!

[@HiddenInstinct]

Let us know how it works

[@WyomingRancher]

Great video, I'll give it a go. Thanks

[@Savayahi]

Thank you so much!! This video saved my horns!!!

[@actingfreak1413]

How do you get the antlers so white to start? Beautiful! Great idea! Definitely will try!!

[@HiddenInstinct]

They are naturally sun faded

[@redman4bills]

Great looking horns!!!

[@lewiswereb8994]

Antlers. Not horns. Cows and bulls and sheep and cars have horns.

[@Naumets1]

Awesome Tutorial

[@HiddenInstinct]

Thanks

[@missmargaret1247]

Yes! I was going to buy umber oil paint, but this is so much better and simpler, and I can just do it over my flower bed!However, I'm not your Mom or anything, but you should not be breathing any of that spray sealer! Do that outside and/or use respiratory protection, young man!

[@mikeinhoodriver]

Hey, regards the clear coat, what finish are you using? Flat, semigloss, or gloss? Great video, going to try a biggin' I found, and a dead head.

[@HiddenInstinct]

Using a semi gloss. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, been out of town a lot for work

[@shednesshunting2578]

wow awesome never new thanks great stuff

[@HiddenInstinct]

noah shedness glad you liked it. Thanks for watching

[@DeepSouthExperience]

Found you through searching for a method for me to use on a set I hung after a hunt and never got around to mounting. They bleached in the FL sun quick. Going to do it over the long weekend. Saw briargoatkilla was sub'd, so that told me I was behind. Sub'd you right away. Great video. Take Care Stay Safe - Stan

[@HiddenInstinct]

Thanks! hope it works well for you

[@hambone500]

Impressive video! Nice work

[@marcrhodes3382]

Thanks for the video!

[@charliecox479]

Have you ever tried old English restores restores damage wood And then spray clear coat over it after it dries

[@cindyrae2605]

Will the color fade without the clear coat?

[@ryanstewart9318]

Can you do this technique with antlers that are repaired with epoxy sculpt to fix the tines?

[@ryanhenderson4596]

I used ur advice and it work wonders

[@HiddenInstinct]

+Ryan Henderson That's what we like to hear!!!

[@snotpoo]

An easier way is to just soak them in diet Pepsi for about 18 hours. If you want darker you can go 24 hrs.

[@michalmaziarz6296]

I have slight green stain in the antler I cut open a month ago - kept it nice and dry. - how to get rid of it?

[@gavinbirch8696]

Best way I’ve seen.

[@fieldtothefork9889]

How long do you let the coffee sit on the antlers?

[@montanamountainmen6104]

use tru oil it works to protect antlers before turning white.

[@Jschuhfishing]

How will this work if my deer head cracked off a point? Will it look bad like the crack in the horn?

[@HiddenInstinct]

It will still color but it won't match the rest of the antler. It should look just fine though, it wouldn't look the same with natural color on it either because of the difference in texture and density of the inside and outside of the antler.

[@steveroush4147]

Have you ever tried used tea grounds ?

[@jeffreybaskin8723]

Looks like that works pretty well. On the video they look almost identical to the fresh one. I am going to have to try this on some whitetail sheds I have picked up. If they don't come out as dark as you'd like would a second coat of the coffee darken them more or would trying a different darker coffee be better?

[@HiddenInstinct]

Jeffrey Baskin I've found the fresher the coffee grounds the better for darker color, also starbucks french roast is the darkest color I have tried. lf you let them dry for a couple hours and then apply the coffee again it will make it a little darker but not significantly. I haven't tried it on white tail yet but I'd assume it will work well. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for the questions

[@HiddenInstinct]

Using a different coffee may make them darker. Letting it dry and set for a while and then doing it again with a little dryer ground will also make it darker

[@user-wj3tb6wo5u]

Amazing

[@arlanjason9646]

The price for one of those ??

[@dannypalmer8916]

thanks just what I needed

[@texastrina25]

do you do the same for elk antlers? wanting to European mount them but they are bleached

[@HiddenInstinct]

Yes, you can do the same on elk antlers.

[@miked8227]

Will decaf work the same? 😜

[@WyomingOutofDoors]

sweet

[@jordanblackburn9759]

Does it make the antlers smell like coffee?

[@darrenfreestone8249]

How long have you had coffee grounds on an antler? When I use mud and old English oil it dries up and absorbs the moisture leaving the ho.. oops almost said "horn" antler looking dusty and I need to apply another cote of oil. Wondering if the coffee stains it well and doesn't get absorbed . Thanks

[@HiddenInstinct]

Darren Freestone I've left it on overnight before but it usually only takes a few minutes to maybe an hour. The condition of the antler is really what determines how well it works

[@rushingrushing3207]

Does the antler smell like coffee

[@johnrehner458]

how did you obtain so many sheds

[@ApexPredatorOutdoors]

Go shed hunting in late winter after hunting season, or early spring depending on your location, when the Antlers get knocked off.

[@coltonbailey5456]

Do the coffee grounds need to be dried out? I attempted this, and the grounds did not stick and stain like it did in your video. Trying to find a method that can do this easily and cheap! Thanks

[@HiddenInstinct]

They work best right out of the coffee maker. Grind them a little finer if you have a grinder or buy fine ground and that may help. I've heard of guys mixing them with honey or melted tree sap but I've never tried it myself. Good luck hope it turns out for you. I'd say 80% of the ones Ive done that are only a year old have turned out awesome but sometimes they just don't turn out for some reason, still trying to figure out why

[@fredmeebley]

Hidden Instinct Minwax wood stain also works. Can't remember which color though. Thanks for the tip on the coffee grounds, I'm going to try it.

[@prestondoyle9451]

I tried this and it came out like shit I know people who how done it and it works anyway I don't drink coffee so maybe I got the wrong kind I did it the exact way you did it. So did you show every step and how can I fix it

[@HiddenInstinct]

Preston Doyle you should be able to just wipe almost all the color out with warm water. I showed all the steps I use. Where the sheds cracked or where they hard white?

[@marciboatright7883]

Dose the gloss keeps the color on the horns?

[@marciboatright7883]

Does

[@NymphetaminexXxGrrrl]

So i found some beautiful antlers in my basement, the colour is still good, but they have a real stink to them... No they don't have flesh or velvet on them, they were originally cleaned by nature just insects and sun, but finding them after all these years i cant believe how much they stink. i tried giving them a scrub with water and very diluted bleach (clearly i'm no professional) just not sure how to get rid of the stink without damaging the quality or colour of the horns. Perhaps coffee grinds would make them smell a little better? I don't know i guess i'll put them back in the sun just not sure if anyone has any tips on how to deal with old antlers that were half ass cleaned.

[@HiddenInstinct]

Is it the antlers that actually stink or is it the skull plate where the antlers are attached?

[@NymphetaminexXxGrrrl]

The smell was worse at the skull plate, but was noticeable throughout the whole thing, probably from being left in storage for so long...well since than i crossed my fingers that a baking soda paste wouldn't damage anything, and i rubbed the antlers with a paste left it in the sun for a couple hours, washed the paste off and than put it back in the sun for 2 days. It seems to have worked! No more smell, clean antlers, and no noticeable damage or fading :) Eventually i would like to find a smaller shed to use as a knife handle, but i'm not about to wreck this set now that i have successfully cleaned them up! Thanks for the response! Though i guess i couldn't help myself and tried something random anyway haha

[@paulzillmer8662]

i recently picked up some older moose antlers and want to restore some color to them ,would this work on them also

[@HiddenInstinct]

I don't know why it wouldn't but I've never tried it on moose

[@binauralboost7401]

Legit bro, thanks

[@HiddenInstinct]

Thanks for watching

[@rancewarschak6304]

Nice horns

[@jimgchord]

It's not a horn bro.

[@porterhanshi]

Try Deer Antler Magic. 50 times faster, looks more realistic . Watch the video..

[@HiddenInstinct]

We will check it out

[@basikkilla1]

Will this work for elk horns too?

[@HiddenInstinct]

Yes it will

[@basikkilla1]

@@HiddenInstinct i am seriously so confused. I did this on 2 sets yesterday. The 1st set was soooo old and chalky with cracks it tuned out realky good The 2nd set was the buck i shot last year, i boiled the velvet off and applied the coffee grounds and it looks like shit. Im so confused

[@HiddenInstinct]

I’m guessing when you boiled the velvet off it had some kind of affect and the antler to not be able to take the coffee grounds as well

[@lewiswereb8994]

Elks don't have horns. They have antlers. BIG assed antlers.Takes more coffee,too.

[@texastrina25]

does it work on elk

[@HiddenInstinct]

Trina Simnacher I personally have never tried it but that's what my friend always used it on and I have talked to a few people that have and supposedly it works well.

[@ragammustika]

usianya berapa tahun tuh tanduk?

[@treytonhippen731]

Tried this and it didn't work at all. Any ideas?

[@HiddenInstinct]

Was the antler really cracked and old?

[@HiddenInstinct]

I've had a few that for what ever reason just don't take the color. I haven't been able to figure out what the difference is. Also was the coffee grounds fresh out of the pot? It seems to work better when the grounds are fresh.

[@kansaslunkers9783]

Do you have a pair for sale

[@HiddenInstinct]

Noah Pitman I don't, I sold all the ones I would get rid of about a month ago

[@davidwonsey]

Antlers

[@C777-i7m]

HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS, HORNS!!!!

[@Tomcat7781]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@galenhof3371]

"ANTLERS" on deer...'HORNS" on sheep

[@MSEELY007]

They are not Horns!!!!! They are Antlers, learn the difference........

[@HiddenInstinct]

Ya I know the difference, just a bad habbit that dies hard. I'm guessing that's a pet peve of your, I've got a few myself ha ha.

[@josephschade9501]

fuck u m

[@treytonhippen731]

Only guys that think they are big hunters but never hunt a day in their life call them antlers

[@animalmother556x45]

Treyton Hippen .......wait, what? Only non-hunters call antlers antlers?

[@itoldyouso270]

Mark Seely there has always got to be that one fucktard in every comment section of every video doesn’t there.

[@tocolee6127]

HORNS? I'm out!