Is baking soda necessary when using vinegaroon?

[redline]

Is baking soda necessary after applying vinegaroon or maybe a ph balanced leather cleaner like lexol will be better? Ive heard its not necessary as leather is acidic.

[SUP]

No. I do not use it. Even diluted, it makes the leather basic which is bad  for leather. Just rinse the leather well in running water and then use neatsfoot oil sparingly, once dry. 

[maxdaddy]

I once rushed out a piece, that had a vinegrooned strap, without 'neutralizing/balancing' it. The rivets and buckle that I attached to it started oxidizing very quickly... like within a few weeks. Ouch. I assumed that it was related to the PH of the leather due to the process. 

I've done it both ways but nowadays I only neutralize it when there will be metal in contact with it.

[redline]

On 9/8/2024 at 8:57 PM, maxdaddy said:

I once rushed out a piece, that had a vinegrooned strap, without 'neutralizing/balancing' it. The rivets and buckle that I attached to it started oxidizing very quickly... like within a few weeks. Ouch. I assumed that it was related to the PH of the leather due to the process. 

I've done it both ways but nowadays I only neutralize it when there will be metal in contact with it.

How long after using vinegaroon is it best to neutralize it to not affect the metal accessories? Can i use saddle soap as a neutralizer as its pretty basic also?

On 9/7/2024 at 5:49 AM, SUP said:

No. I do not use it. Even diluted, it makes the leather basic which is bad  for leather. Just rinse the leather well in running water and then use neatsfoot oil sparingly, once dry. 

What if the piece of leather im working on cant be ran or drenched in water? Im working with furniture.

[SUP]

7 hours ago, redline said:

What if the piece of leather im working on cant be ran or drenched in water? Im working with furniture.

How will you use Vinegaroon to dye it? The same way. A careful wipe-down, several times, with a water-soaked cloth should suffice.

Another thing. Depending on the tanning process of the leather, sometimes, after it is dyed with Vinegaroon, some of the iron acetates remain on the surface of the leather and transfer, if the leather gets wet again. Wiping it with water-soaked cloth can get rid of that as well, so that you end up with beautifully dyed leather without color transfer.

Edited September 10, 2024 by SUP

[SUP]

2 hours ago, SUP said:

Wiping it with water-soaked cloth can get rid of that as well, so that you end up with beautifully dyed leather without color transfer.

I forgot to add, after wiping with a wet cloth, immediately wipe with a dry cloth until the leather is as dry as possible. Then allow to dry completely.

[Littlef]

Baking soda is used to neutralize the acidity of the vinegar.  It neutralizes the acid because its a base.  I use it, and then I rinse it out.  If you were concerned whether the end solution is a base, acid, or neutral, you could always use litmus paper, but I think that's probably being more anal than is necessary.  I think taking a few seconds to flush the leather good with water when you're done is sufficient.