48 How To Make Fish Mounts 



the cast— about % inch over the body and about % inch over the 

 tail and dorsal and anal fins. Insert wires into the back of the 

 fish as described previously. Or the cast can be placed directly 

 against the wall ( no space between wall and fish ) by eliminat- 

 ing the wires. Instead, carve out a hole in the back of the cast 

 and insert a piece of metal or wire across the top end of the hole 

 while the plaster is still soft. With this method the fish plaque 

 can be placed on a nail or hook snug against the wall. 



When the cast has been separated from the mold, carve out 

 the eye area to the proper depth to receive the glass eye with 

 room to spare. Brush shellac into the hollow. When the shel- 

 lac dries run some hot wax into the hole and then insert the 

 glass eye. Smooth the wax around the eye with a tool. An 

 easy way of applying the wax is to heat any small metal tool 

 and touch it to a piece of beeswax held directly over the eye 

 impression. Let the wax drop into it. 



Now check over the cast and fill in any defects with plaster 

 or wax; if plaster is used first, wet the area to be repaired. 

 Scrape away any irregularities in the plaque. Chisel or cut 

 away any bits of plaster that may be attached to the fish. The 

 lips, jaws, and gill cover may require deeper lines; cut them in 

 with a knife or other pointed instrument. 



If the fish has been cast without the plaque, bevel the edges 

 of the body and fins from their outer edge inward toward the 

 back of the fish. In this way the fish will appear to be fullv cast 

 when hung upon the wall. 



Cover the entire cast with shellac thinned 50-50 with com- 

 mercial alcohol and applv several coats until the cast begins to 

 hint of gloss. Paint the fish (see Chapter 5). 



CASTS IN WAX 



The wax cast is another method of casting fish which may be 

 accomplished at home easily and at minimum expense. In cer- 

 tain instances casting in wax is superior to any other means of 

 constructing models of fishes. It is the simplest and fastest 



