Holsters & Vinegaroon

[HDL]

Does Vinegaroon cause any side effects when used on holsters? Like rusting the gun? Does it leave an odor and what top coat do you use?

Tim HDL www.highdesertleather.com

[TwinOaks]

Hi HDL,

I've used 'roon on several holsters and sheathes with no ill effect. That said, I'd like to mention that my 'roon is rather old, and the acetic acid (vinegar) has been completely reduced/used up. There's still a little odor to it, but it's not a vinegar smell. If you have any question about the PH of the leather, you can make a baking soda + water solution and dunk the holster to neutralize any remaining acid. I've also used ordinary tap water to rinse it.

In a nutshell (which, incidentally, can be used, but that's another thread) the vinegar eats the metal producing Ferric Acetate. The ferric acetate reacts with the tannins in the leather, producing gray or black (and sometimes the prettiest blue, depending on the tanning method). As long as there's vinegar active, it'll have a vinegar smell. Once the vinegar smell is gone, so is the vinegar. Keep in mind that leather actually does better with a slightly acidic PH. If it's TOO acidic, that can effect the finish on blued guns or steel in the white.

I usually don't use any topcoat on the 'rooned holsters/sheaths. The reaction inside the leather tends to push the tallows to the surface, giving it a pretty good moisture resistance. In fact, part of the 'rooning process is oiling the leather to get some conditioning BACK INTO the leather. Instead of oil, I typically use Aussie conditioner and rub it in really well. Heat helps the leather absorb it. On the handful of occasions I've used a top coat, I used leatherbalm to give it a little extra shine.

[HDL]

Hi HDL,

I've used 'roon on several holsters and sheathes with no ill effect. That said, I'd like to mention that my 'roon is rather old, and the acetic acid (vinegar) has been completely reduced/used up. There's still a little odor to it, but it's not a vinegar smell. If you have any question about the PH of the leather, you can make a baking soda + water solution and dunk the holster to neutralize any remaining acid. I've also used ordinary tap water to rinse it.

In a nutshell (which, incidentally, can be used, but that's another thread) the vinegar eats the metal producing Ferric Acetate. The ferric acetate reacts with the tannins in the leather, producing gray or black (and sometimes the prettiest blue, depending on the tanning method). As long as there's vinegar active, it'll have a vinegar smell. Once the vinegar smell is gone, so is the vinegar. Keep in mind that leather actually does better with a slightly acidic PH. If it's TOO acidic, that can effect the finish on blued guns or steel in the white.

I usually don't use any topcoat on the 'rooned holsters/sheaths. The reaction inside the leather tends to push the tallows to the surface, giving it a pretty good moisture resistance. In fact, part of the 'rooning process is oiling the leather to get some conditioning BACK INTO the leather. Instead of oil, I typically use Aussie conditioner and rub it in really well. Heat helps the leather absorb it. On the handful of occasions I've used a top coat, I used leatherbalm to give it a little extra shine.

Mike thank you for the response, I am going to give it a try. Tim www.highdesertleather.com