Complete your home tanning project with the final steps for soft, stretchable, and professional-quality fur using the Tan-a-Fur kit
This final stage wraps up the flat tanning process using the Advanced Tanning Solutions Tan-a-Fur Skin kit. After oiling the skin in Step 7 (see Part 3), you're ready to dry, stretch, and finish the skin for long-term preservation. This step focuses on making the hide soft, pliable, and visually clean—while keeping the fur smooth and fluffed.
Step 8: Drying and Stretching
Overnight Fold Dry: After oiling the hide, fold it in half (flesh side in) and let it sit overnight.
Next day, hang the skin flesh side out to dry. After some drying time, flip it fur side out to dry on both sides.
When the skin is semi-dry, begin gently stretching it.This prevents the hide from becoming hard and stiff. Continue to stretch periodically to maintain softness and pliability. Take extra care around the thinner face and tail areas.
Step 9: Finishing
Once dry (approx. 24 hours for squirrel skins), apply Silk Powder for a velvety finish. This step is optional, but produces a nice finished look and feel for squirrels as well as l for thicker skins like raccoon, beaver or bear.
Use the brush included in the kit to de-clump the fur, brushing with the grain from the edges inward—don’t forget the tail. Lightly spritz the fur with water until just damp (not wet). Brush with the grain to evenly distribute moisture—you’ll know you’ve got enough when the brush leaves faint grooves.
Use a cool hairdryer to blow-dry against the grain, while brushing against the grain as well. Be gentle. This process takes 10–15 minutes.
Use a blower, vacuum or shop vac set to “blow out” mode for bigger hides.
Once finished, the result is a soft, stretchable, clean, and fluffed pelt—ready for mounting, crafts, or display. This final step completes the all-in-one home tanning process for small fur-bearing animals using the Advanced Tanning Solutions DIY tanning kit.
For larger game, Advanced Tanning Solutions also offers:
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Tan-a-Hide kit – ideal for deer, elk, moose and similar-sized mammals.
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Tan-a-Snake kit – produces a true tanned leather from snakeskin in just 7–10 days. No pinning or glycerin required!
Key Steps
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Fold oiled skin (flesh-in) and dry overnight
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Hang to dry flesh-side out, then flip to fur-side
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Stretch hide every few hours to keep it soft
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Apply Silk Powder for a velvety finish (optional)
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Brush fur gently with the grain to smooth clumps
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Lightly mist fur and brush again to prep for fluffing
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Blow-dry against the grain with a cool setting while brushing
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Use a blower or shop vac for larger skins like raccoons or bears
