More Vinegaroon questions

[TwinOaks]

I just colored a holster with the vinegaroon concoction and after its bath, it got a good soaking in neutralizing solution. I noticed that the leather, once treated with the ferric acetate solution is more resistant to water. Specifically, I dipped the holster to neutralize it, then rinsed with warm tap water. While soaking in the baking soda solution I didn't see any of the typical air bubbles. Once I rinsed it though, the regular water penetrated much more deeply and I started seeing bubbles as the water soaked into the leather. Back to the soak, same thing. More tap water, more bubbles.

This leads me to a few questions:

1. Does the ferric acetate force the tallows to the surface, making the surface more water resistant? While rinsing, water would just bead off of it.

1.A. If the tallows in the leather are forced to the surface, will saddle conditioner restore them to where they need to be- back in the core of the leather.

2. Since the regular tap water penetrated more deeply than the base solution, should I be concerned with pH levels in the center of the leather?

3. While neutralizing, is it safe to presume 'normal pH' levels on the surfaces (grain and flesh) of the leather, while not being overly concerned with the center leather's pH?

Without any additional finishes, the holster looks spectacular, and yes I'll get a pic up in a little while.

I appreciate any insights to the suitability of the leather for metal contact (blued). Of course, that brings up another question too...

Since the ferric acetate is a type of salt, what are the odds that any un-neutralized reagent actually improves the finish where it's worn thin? ( I know, wistful thinking)

Thanks,

Mike

[rdb]

Excellent obsevations Mike. I noticed few bubbles when soaking also. I have soaked and rinsed twice so far, and more bubbles appeared the second rinse, so your observations may be correct.

After two soaks/rinses, I still have a slight vinegary smell, so I'm wondering if you are correct that the center of the leather is maintaining the acidic PH.

Even on the flesh side of my leather the water seems to not soak in as well. Your idea that the tallows may rise to the surface could be a good one.

For some reason, I think the conditioners etc will penetrate, but will have to be rubbed in well or forced to by a blow dryer, until the tallows etc are resettled by time and use.

[TwinOaks]

I didn't soak the leather in the vinegaroon, but instead wiped it on/ dribbled it. After the second series of rinsing, I lost all the vinegar smell. Now, after molding and drying/hardening in the convection oven (150F) for about 20 minutes, I think I'm done. There's absolutely no hint of vinegar smell. I applied Aussie to the exterior and to what I could reach on the inside by hand, then bagged the gun, slathered on some Aussie conditioner, and worked the gun in the holster a bit. Result? It looks like everywhere leather will contact metal, I have a good coating of Aussie soaked into the holster. I'm gonna call this one complete, snap a few pics, post them and go deliver the holster. If anyone else has some ideas as to what's going on chemically, I'd still like to have your input.

Y'all have a wunnerful day.

Mike

[Shorts]

Hey Mike, been going between this thread and 'Vinegaroon toolbag". I look forward to the pics of your holster.

[TwinOaks]

Uh, yeah.....probably next weekend. Camera was kaputz, and I had to deliver the holster. I'll ask the guy if I can get a pic of it. I'll also ask his boss for a pic of the snubby holster I made for him

[TwinOaks]

quote name='TwinOaks' date='May 5 2008, 08:29 PM' post='45587']

Uh, yeah.....probably next weekend. Camera was kaputz, and I had to deliver the holster. I'll ask the guy if I can get a pic of it. I'll also ask his boss for a pic of the snubby holster I made for him

Okay, here we are a few weekends later than promised, and a new camera later, but I got the pics. Appologies for the delay. Here are the pics:[

[Shorts]

The holster looks great Mike, thanks for putting them up. I need to jump in and do one in vinegaroon already and quit fighting with my black dye. I've got my test pieces sitting in the box, I'm going to go look at them some more while I decide what holster I'll use.

Again, nice work.