Gray has the ability to use several different processes, but the molding method is by far the most popular. It creates an incredibly accurate mannequin, because it captures every detail of the actual fish. The back half of the fish is positioned carefully and buried in a box of sand in the desired pose. A silver spray coat seals the skin, and a release agent is brushed on the surface. Resin is then added to start the face of the mold. Every scale and detail will be captured in this resin coat. A fiber coat is added to provide strength to the surface coat. This laminate must be totally void of air pockets, and takes about 5 layers for complete strength on a regular fish, and even more layers for larger fish. Once the first side is completed the mold is then turned over, and the sand cleared away. By repeating the process Gray can construct the backside of the mold.

After the curing is completed, a saw cuts the edges of the mold, and the actual fish is removed and a perfect shape of the fish remains. The mold now goes to the casting shop.

In the next step, a release material is applied to the newly built mold then a white surface resin is brushed on. The same materials used to build the mold are now laminated in to the front and back halves. The back also gets a block of wood to support the wall hanger. A batter mix holds the front and back together, and the mold is clamped for curing which takes about one hour. When the mold is opened a perfect replica emerges with the same detail as the actual catch. No other process is more accurate or authentic. Gray has traveled the world to process these molds, giving Gray Taxidermy the largest inventory of fish molds.

Gray takes particular pride in its finishing department. This is an extremely time consuming operation, but essential to producing a quality mount. The process starts by cutting away the flashing used to attach the front and back of the replica fins and the tails are shaped precisely. Filler must be applied and sanded smooth to fill in the seams. A glass eye is painted to match the exact color of the fish then set in the head. After gluing the original fins to cardboard backing for strength, they are reattached to the body in positions that simulate a jump. A numbering system insures that the exact teeth and fins will match the casting.
After covering the glass eye for protection the fish is sprayed with a primer coat. This helps the finishers to spot any imperfections and remove them.