This is an old topic, due to having bit of time on my hands thought I would have a look at the marlin bills in garage. One is sons first from last Dec, this was drying in tree and fell out of tree onto ground where insects cleaned off jaws. The second is one that was dried outside and has been in garage for couple of years, still has oil in skin. In practical terms of cleaning these up for mounting what have you done. Currently got them in a bleach solution. Overnight has improved both of them. Any honey comb and excess meat has gone.

Looking to remove last bits of cartilage and oil etc, dry bog up and mount.

Any pointers on what has worked for you

Cheers

I thought I would post my Marlin Bill I had done around 7 years ago.it was mounted by a guy on Waiheke Island,it's still in excellent condition like the day I caught it.



Thanks to fishnetter Alistair for hooking me up on his boat "Mad OZ" out the back of Mayor Island,ended up with alot of vac pac smoked meat

Sorry I'm no help with information on how preserve the Bill.😊

Looks promising.

Ive got 3 on the go at the moment, looks like you've done it well yknot. Cut the honey comb out, this needs a bit more. Washing powder is good for cleaning the final bit. Can use Polystyrene to fill in the inside, car bog the gaps then resin, or even cut cardboard to fit the roof of the mouth then resin with a sprinkle of sand. Paint or skin it to the bone.
Paint finish below(cardboard roof of mouth).

Bone finish below


Stripey, Black and Blue bills done.

Cheers Adam

Marligator the honey comb is like a honey comb but full of oil. The oil just keeps on comming.

Still work in progress mate, have run out of bog. Waiting for shops to reopen. Intention is to fill and shape head and jaw, then give it a paint.