How to Make Your Own Cow Hides

How to make your own cow hides

• 1

  Soak the freshly skinned hide in cold water until it is rinsed clean of blood and fluids. Remove from water and lay the hair side down, spreading a thick layer of salt over the flesh side.

• 2

  Allow the salt to set for at least three days, checking it every few hours and coating any wet spots with additional layers of salt. Once the hide has dried hard in all areas, soak it again in clean water until it softens again.

• 3

  Boil six gallons of water and add 16 cups of bran flakes. Let this mix sit for an hour and cool. Strain out the bran flakes.

• 4

  Boil eight gallons of water and add 16 cups of coarse salt. Stir until all the salt dissolves.

• 5

  Add the bran water to the hot salt water in a large trash can and allow the liquid to cool until it is lukewarm. Carefully add three and one-half cups of battery acid to this mixture.

• 6

  Slide your hide into the liquid and allow it to soak for about an hour and 10 minutes. Then remove it and rinse it thoroughly.

• 7

  Hang it on a stretcher and pull the skin out tightly, pegging it to the corners of the stretcher to dry completely. Using a strong brush, apply a layer of neatsfoot oil to the hide, rubbing the oil into the skin. Allow this to dry for several days until it is dry but gives slightly to touch in the center.

• 8

  Take down the hide and use a wire brush to comb through the hair side, removing any loose particles and giving the hair a lighter, cleaner appearance. Your hide is now ready for you to hang or use as a rug wherever you like.