Product Review

      When Rittels started to first market this product, we were content to simply say it’s almost an exact replacement for Formaldehyde and it doesn’t cause cancer like Formaldehyde! However, as we began to sell and distribute the product, we suddenly realized that there are a multitude of uses for it!

     While it does have a smell to it, it isn’t anything comparable to the biting smell of Formaldehyde. You use it the same way as Formaldehyde, same dosage, and if you had used a formula in the past containing Formaldehyde, you can substitute Preservz-it, using the same dosage, and best of all – you can expect the same results!

     For general usage, and for work I’ve done with the product, I’ve found that the following formula is best for Taxidermy purposes!

For every 1 Gallon of solution needed:

1 Gallon of Water

1 fl. Oz. of Preservz-it

4 Ozs. of Borax (20 Mule Team)

     Your solution will normally read a Ph in the range of 8.0-8.5, depending on your local water Ph. 

     How does it work? Well, like Formaldehyde, it stabilizes the soft tissues and firms them. I’ve used it extensively on Crabs and Lobsters. The soft tissues in the thin legs, when broken apart and examined, turn into a stabilized feathery consistency and become hard and dried – almost mummified! And bugs definitely don’t like this stuff! They would probably eat concrete before eating 
Preservz-it saturated tissue!

     There are so many uses – and so many we still haven't explored, that we finally had to come up with a leaflet-like instruction sheet for its use! We started out listing 10 different uses for it – and now we list 12! And the list goes on!

Here’s a run-down on some of the uses that we are familiar with, and are used in Taxidermy!

     1.As a hair set in the Pickle! Ideal for firming up questionable skins that may already have loose hair or slipping. 
     2.As a hair set for loose hair "after" the skin or cape has been tanned! After tanning, a rinse in water, a soak in a Preservz-it solution, another rinse, drain, tumble for 5 minutes, and then oil! 
     3.As a Lobster Tan! Make small holes in the underside of each leg segment that’s difficult to clean, remove any accessible soft tissue, soak the Lobster for 7 days, rinse, drain, pin into
position and complete mounting! 
     4.To tan a Starfish! This is a great method for live starfish. Spread them out in a natural position, underside down, and leave them until they collapse and expel all their water. Then place them in a Preservz-it solution and wait for them to suck up the solution. Leave them in the solution until they harden. Then remove, quick rinse, pin in place until they dry, then paint. 
     5.Use it to inject in Bird and Mammal feet! Mix it 10% with your Elmer's White Glue or Glycerin. I like the White Glue for firmness. 
     6.Set fresh Antler Velvet - I like the soak method. First, prick the velvet all over, then soak them for 1-2 hours in a solution of 4 Tablespoonfuls of Rittels Blood-Eater per every 5 Gallons of solution needed, to first draw out any blood. Rinse. Then soak them for 7 days in a Preservz-it solution to firm and provide stabilization to the tissues. 
     7.Setting fresh velvet using the injection method! First prick the end of each tine to allow a flow of fluid. Then inject a Preservz-it solution into the knurl or base of each antler, and into the veins feeding the velvet. When fully flushed, you should see a flow of clear Preservz-it solution. After saturation, paint the outside velvet with a coat of the Preservz-it solution, and hang them to dry. 
     8.To set Velvet peeling or drying! Simply paint on your Preservz-it solution! Or – again, soak them for 1 week, just like setting fresh velvet! Remove and dry! If you need flexibility in the peeling strips, while they are wet, coat them with a good tanning oil and then let them dry. 
     9.Treat Skulls – After thoroughly cleaning, particularly Bird skulls, soak them for 3 hours, then rinse and mount. 
     10.To preserve and keep Educational Specimens! Just like Formaldehyde, soaking specimens in a Preservz-it solution will keep them stabilized and available for study. It even retains eye color. 
     11.Preserve Alligator or Croc heads! After the preliminary cleaning soak the skull in a Preservz-it solution for 1-2 weeks, remove, rinse, rebuild muscle tissue and mount. 
     12.Keep Bait Fish longer! Many Bait outfits use Formaldehyde for this purpose – but again, Preservz-it is an excellent replacement. It firms up the bellies so the bait doesn’t fall apart, and they remain usable for a much longer period of time!
     13. Rabbits feet ! like the ones used for key chains. They were simply pricked with a sharp needle, soaked for 1 week, removed, dried, dyed and attached to the key chain accessory.

     And the list goes on! We’re also exploring the use of Preservz-it in the Plywood industry to replace the use of Formaldehyde, used in making exterior Plywood. 

 

A Challenge for Readers!

     Any other uses we still don’t know about? Tell us about it! I’d like to share it with others. If it’s a practical idea – we’ll pick the top 5 ideas submitted by September 1st. and send you a free 8 Oz. Bottle of Preservz-it! And it doesn’t have to pertain to Taxidermy! Any use! You can contact me using our E-Mail at: rittel@ici.net

     One word of Caution. This is a non-carcinogenic product, however, it is still an Aldehyde and should be used respectfully. It is not intended to be ingested, and like when working with any chemical solution, we strongly advise that you wear protective gloves, and glasses to protect against splashes! Our instructions are based on our own experiences using the product, and cannot guarantee success! We also assume no liability for the use of the product, since we have no control over the environment, or the materials and their preparation, upon which the product or instructions will be used.

Thank you

Bruce Rittel