How to fix an unusable giraffe rug?

[rookhawk]

I have a giraffe hide and its super thick and badly wrinkled. Is there a trick to getting it flat so it can be used as a rug? Of particular issue is the arm pit skin is rippled.

Can it be steamed repeatedly? Do I buy a gallon of lexol and then saturate the suede side, putting it on flat concrete for a week?

Thanks for any tips or suggestions.

 

[Corey0372]

Genuinely curious about this, idk why

 

[thi9elsp]

I see where some will use butcher paper set on top of leather, iron on low heat and use a circular motion to get wrinkles out of leather. That might work on the hide.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Lexol and warm water should penetrate the suede side sparingly. Don’t saturate the hide. Just enough worked in to start getting it somewhat playable. If two or more people are involved that can grab opposite sides of the hide to pull and stretch it while it’s damp it will help soften the hide.
Normally the arm pits are folded, trimmed and sewn so the hide will lay flat however it sounds like it wasn’t done and was just tanned, rather poorly, and not finished. It shouldn’t be stiff and creases should flatten out after a period of time. If you look up Vandykes taxidermy supply you can buy a gallon jug of “Protol” which is some of the best tanning oil you can get. Mix it about 50/50 in small batches with warm water and it should help.

 

[rookhawk]

Lexol and warm water should penetrate the suede side sparingly. Don’t saturate the hide. Just enough worked in to start getting it somewhat playable. If two or more people are involved that can grab opposite sides of the hide to pull and stretch it while it’s damp it will help soften the hide.
Normally the arm pits are folded, trimmed and sewn so the hide will lay flat however it sounds like it wasn’t done and was just tanned, rather poorly, and not finished. It shouldn’t be stiff and creases should flatten out after a period of time. If you look up Vandykes taxidermy supply you can buy a gallon jug of “Protol” which is some of the best tanning oil you can get. Mix it about 50/50 in small batches with warm water and it should help.

Correct, poorly done. This is one of many such pieces from TCI in Zim. That’s why I always say use Collettes, they do wonderful work.

 

[MarkB]

Correct, poorly done. This is one of many such pieces from TCI in Zim. That’s why I always say use Collettes, they do wonderful work.

That's wild, I have the tanned ears of my ele from zim that TCI did many years ago, can still see the fold marks, they are soft and pliable but still have the slight fold wrinkles. I have always been to afraid of putting anything on them.

Waiting to see your results, may try and flatten one?

MB

 

[James.Grage]

I had my giraffe hide made into gun cases and purses and a throw pillow.

I could not get mine to lay flat also and my wife kept tripping and when she almost fell that was it.

I am not sure where you live, however look for someone to make usable items out of your hide.