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Was asked to do a black belt for a friend. Having had really good experience with vinegarooning in the past, finished the belt as normal then brushed on the vinegar mix. Instead of turning black it has turned blue. A dark navy blue. Looks very nice though.

Same vinegar mix as I have used in the past, so the leather must have been tanned differently.

Anyone heard of this or know why this happened.

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Yes, I've had this happen on two occasions. It appears that there is a slightly different method between tanneries. Some of my pieces have initially turned blue, then faded to black after the oil was applied. ( You did remember to oil it didn't you?) But no matter what, some leather turned blue and stayed that way. There is, however, a pretty quick fix. TRY THIS ON A SCRAP FIRST: Give the leather a quick wash with (unsweetened) black tea. One of the other members noted that tea is very high in tannins. Then, reapply the vinegaroon. Your leather should blacken. Even if it doesn't blacken completely, you'll have a chemically colored faded in/out blue on black pattern that folks will be REALLY curious as to how you did it.:)

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Thanks for the help mike, the piece is still drying so haven't oiled it yet. Sorta hoping it stays blue now. But for next time will definitely test out the tea method. If it works then I have two dark colours up my sleeve. :thumbsup:

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Not only will the tea help with the reaction to turning it dark, but so will the baking soda bath - it's not just for neutralization. In fact plain leather dipped long enough in the baking soda and water mix will turn dark, dark brown to almost black - less time less dark.

The baking soda and water does dry/stiffen the leather so oil application is required. FWIW - I add oil (Lexol, Neatsfoot, or EVOO dependent on the look I want) while still damp but close to dry......

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I got a classy gun-metal grey with some my partner had brewed for staining wooden shelves. I like it -- and I'll try tea first too.

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