Your water and your leather

[Shorts]

The last day or two I've molded a couple items using water from the restroom sink. They molded up pretty well and I'm impressed how they've dried out.

Anyone notice any difference in the way waters from different areas/water systems mold your leather?

The water in Japan didn't mold the leather the same way this Texas water did. Yes, I used the same leather. I'd venture it is the chemical composition of the water but a printout chemical comparison would be neat.

Any lab nerds done such a thing?

[kevinhopkins]

The last day or two I've molded a couple items using water from the restroom sink. They molded up pretty well and I'm impressed how they've dried out.

Anyone notice any difference in the way waters from different areas/water systems mold your leather?

The water in Japan didn't mold the leather the same way this Texas water did. Yes, I used the same leather. I'd venture it is the chemical composition of the water but a printout chemical comparison would be neat.

Any lab nerds done such a thing?

Hi Monica,

I'm not a lab nerd, but water composition can definitely have an effect on leather. I wouldn't think that it would affect moulding, but in thinking about it, I don't see why it wouldn't have the potential to do that... Mineral content can affect lots of other things concerning leather.

Kevin

[westtxcowboy1979]

Shorts I lived in the panhandle around the Lubbock area and the water was hard it seemed to be hard to case with. I now live in central Texas now and the water is much softer and is easier to case with. Which part for Tx are you in.

[Shorts]

Kevin, I think so. I'll have to ask my dad about it for his take. He's a dirt nerd (USDA Soil Scientist) but would probably have some good thoughts. Speaking of leather, I need to give you a call for the current HO leather deal.

westtxcowboy1979, I'm over in Grapevine. The water is pretty friendly here.

[badger]

Water chemistry varies enormously with geography.

I live in London, hard water area. It's tough to get soap to even foam in the water. When we visit Deb's relatives up north near Scotland, the water's so soft you can't get the soap off your skin in the shower.

Badger

[Johanna]

When we lived in Georgia, we bought distilled water for molding or casing leather because the tap water ofen left an orange-ish look on the leather. In Ohio, we continued to buy distilled water so because the water here is hard, and leaves a salty looking deposit in the grooves. YMMV

Johanna