How to Paint a Snake Mount

Painting a snake mounting board is fairly easy.

The art of mounting animals, or taxidermy, is one practiced by many. One animal that is commonly mounted is the snake. Snakes are typically mounted either on brackets that are attached to a mounting board or on the mounting board itself. The mounting board is the board on which the the specimen is displayed. Lighter and darker shade wood stains tend to work best for snake mounting boards.

Things You'll Need

• Work bench
• Drop cloth or newspaper
• Hand broom
• Mounting board
• Sandpaper
• Wood stain
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Place the mounting stand on newspaper and sand it by hand with sandpaper until the surface is smooth.

2. Sweep the wood dust off with the drop cloth.

3. Make sure the room temperature is adequate for applying wood stain The ideal temperature is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Select a color of stain that will enhance the natural color piece of wood you are using as your mounting board.

5. Apply the stain evenly with a paint brush. Allow time for the first coat of stain to dry. Go by the suggested drying times printed on the container you purchased. If it still has any patchy spots after it is completely dry, you should add a second coat.

6. Apply a single coat of varnish with a separate paint brush to the snake mount stand. Apply with straight and even strokes. Use an old rag to soak up any splotches of varnish.

References

• Freeze Dr Company: Taxidermy preparations for a Rattlesnake
• Staining and Polishing - Including Varnishing & Other Methods of Finishing Wood, With Appendix of Recipes; J.C.S. Brough; 2008