Vinegaroon Question. Can't Wetform Holster

[steelhawk]

I made some vinegaroon that works like I thought it should. Leather is very black. I made a holster and used the vinegaroon on each piece first. Now that it is sewn together and I got ready to wetform it, I had some problems.

First, the leather would not absorb water properly. Second, I can't do any kind of forming on the holster. Is this because I used the vinegaroon first? I made a holster with this same leather last year using Fiebings dye and it formed quite nicely, but rubbed off on my pants, so I wanted to use the vinegaroon.

Edited April 28, 2010 by steelhawk

[Denster]

Vinagaroon does impede the absorbtion of moisture but you can form holsters after vg you just have to soak it longer. For example on a holster made of natural veg tan 7/8 OZ I submerge it for about 5 seconds. If it has been vinagarooned I needed to dunk it for around 45 seconds or so and then wait for the surface moisture to be absorbed. I found it was much easier to mold the holster force dry it at 120degrees for about twenty minutes so it is firm but still has moisture then dunk it in the vinegaroon for about twenty seconds and let air dry. YMMV but that worked for me when I was using VG. I went to Hermann Oak black strap sides and haven't looked back.

[NoahL]

I made some vinegaroon that works like I thought it should. Leather is very black. I made a holster and used the vinegaroon on each piece first. Now that it is sewn together and I got ready to wetform it, I had some problems.

First, the leather would not absorb water properly. Second, I can't do any kind of forming on the holster. Is this because I used the vinegaroon first? I made a holster with this same leather last year using Fiebings dye and it formed quite nicely, but rubbed off on my pants, so I wanted to use the vinegaroon.

Vinegaroon pushes the tallows and oils in the leather to the surface, making it somewhat water resistant, and it also makes it somewhat dry so I can definitely see it being difficult to mold. When I vinegaroon knife sheaths I always do my molding first.

~Noah

[TwinOaks]

I do all the molding before vinegaroon too. I've also experimented a bit with 'brushing' the vinegaroon on instead of dunking.

[MADMAX22]

Unless you have some metal hardware in the holster go ahead and stitch it like you normally would, vinegaroon it, give it a baking soda quick wash if you do that then set it aside for a while to start drying.

Once it gets some what less wet start your gun in it and get the basic shape going, then let it dry some more. It takes a little longer since it is thoroughly soaked usually. Wait till it gets pretty close to just damp and do your forming and it should form very well. I have done this before and it works for me. I have also carved and stamped it after vinegaroon but I just usually dont let it dry out first.

Or do as suggested and brush it on afterwards, this works pretty good. Another thing I have noticed is if you do let it dry completely just wet from the flesh side and the leather will absorb the water quicker. Let it sit for a while to dispurse thruout then start your forming.

ChuckBarrows is the one if you try pming him he may help ya out. He has many many years experience with vinegaroon.

[steelhawk]

Thanks for the replies. I will need to make another one and vinegaroon it last, as I was going to use this one as a demo holster to try and sell some. It still will be a good holster, but isn't anything spectacular since I wasn't able to do any detailed boning.

[mdmorgan]

I also use the vinegaroon as the moisture for moulding.

[Rayban]

My vinageroon makes my leather look more like dark grey, almost a bluish tint to it.....but it's not black black.....any help??

[TwinOaks]

Rayban, did you remember the little part about oiling it afterward? My 'roon turns a dark gray too, but after a generous rubbing with Aussie, it turns a deep lustrous black.

[Rayban]

Rayban, did you remember the little part about oiling it afterward? My 'roon turns a dark gray too, but after a generous rubbing with Aussie, it turns a deep lustrous black.

Yep, I applied my regular finishing oil, and it did turn darker, but still not black black.....