66 How To Make Fish Mounts 



other half of the mold ( which will be the back side of the fish ) 

 does not require the application of the casting substance over 

 the fin areas ( obviously, they have been chipped away ) because 

 space is needed to accommodate the cast fins, which are thicker 

 than the original fins, included in the other half of the mold. 



Within a couple of hours the first coat should be set enough 

 (even if not completely hard to the touch) to receive the sec- 

 ond or reinforcing layer (Fig. 55). Formula No. 2 for this 

 layer, which has more body to it, will be found in Chapter 12. 

 Apply it in the same manner as the first coat. 



If you are using other material as the casting medium— such 

 as resins which are used with Fiberglas to repair boat hulls— 

 the same techniques of application are employed. 



Strengthening the Cast 



Medium size fishes— specimens between 10 and 20 pounds- 

 require stronger casts. This is accomplished by backing the 

 first layer of plastic in the mold with glass cloth or woven glass 

 (Fig. 63) and additional plastic. 



When the first plastic layer of the cast has set hard, a glossy 

 surface will appear. Dull it with sandpaper so that the next 

 layer of plastic will stick to it better. Now cut the glass cloth 

 with tin snips so as to line the cast inside the mold, snugly. 

 The glass cloth is fitted easier if it is cut in sections. Remove 

 the woven glass and spread formula No. 1 over the inside of 

 the cast. Then again place the cloth in position in the cast and 

 spread formula No. 1 over it. Applv some pressure to the 

 spatula so that the plastic will be forced through the weave 

 and thus bind with the plastic underneath. The initial coat of 

 plastic has to be completed in one operation, but the application 

 of woven glass and plastic is accomplished easier and better if 

 it is done in sections. 



Big-game fishes such as marlin and tuna may be reinforced 

 with two layers of glass cloth and plastic, and further with 

 pieces of thin-wall conduit (Figs. 65 and 66) or any similar 

 type of pipe. I use conduit because it is light in weight, not ex- 



