Conditioning wire stretchers

[lancewilkins]

I recently came across a good deal on some wire stretchers, however, some have some rust. I was thinking about hitting them with a wire brush then wiping then down with a dry rag and then spraying them with some polyurethane or black paint, just curious is there is any better suggestions? I'm all ears!

[login]

Wood is better. I don't use wire stretchers so I can't give you any pointers. But I know one thing, don't put any of your fur on those wire stretchers that have rust, it is not good for the fur and you will be down graded.

[lancewilkins]

Well that's why I want to get rid of the rust. I plan on eventually switching over to all wood especially on coon but this was a smokin deal I couldn't pass up

[krank]

Get you a Chore Girl scratch pad and scrub them down and coat them with coon fat or unsalted lard. Dont use veggie oil as it turns into gum.

[bigjohn]

Like krank said,scour pad or steel wool. I wipe mine down with WD-40 afterwards. You can make a wire/wood hybyrd by cutting them off at the bottom and adding a plywood insert.This will allow you to tack the skirts square,get a little more length,and does a better job than straight wire stretchers.

[lancewilkins]

Thanks guys

[Deleted]

Steel wool, and WD would work, or three in one oil has less smell.

[krank]

I just like the coon fat....Do whatever now and you will have to scrub again before you use it in season. For aesthetic reasons, I like my wood stretchers but I never got a dime more for a coon on a wood or a coon on a wire.

[bigjohn]

I can't say that krank.I know I was able to take some of my coon to the next size using the wire/hybyrd and money cut.Using just wire and the money cut I wasn't able to fully utilize the extra length I had gained.Without being able to pull that extra inch or two and tack it in place,the money cut was wasted.

[Deleted]

I sold to peatom this year and I got about the same for wire as wood, more or less for both, I know I don't use the money cut, but I scraped some coon for a guy this year and I fealt the money cut was a pain too stretch personally !!!

[bverboy]

a boarded money cut coon will sometimes get bumped up a size. put a coon on wire, take it off and put it on a board and see for yourself..

[krank]

Let me back up. All my wire has wood inserts to pin to and a pull them to the square end. I dont use those claws.