Vinegaroon Turns Gray?

[Darren8306]

I didn't do any ph testing, but my vinegaroon was made with 10% acetic acid, and when the belt was finished, it smelled of vinegar. After a dunk in a solution of baking soda, then drying, the vinegar smell was greatly reduced.

 I'll wear this belt, so I guess I will find out if the leather is damaged.

Neutralizing the vinegaroon just before application willbe my next test. Makes a lot of sense, and hopefully reduces the odor.

I don't mind if there is a smell of vinegar when I drop my pants, but a younger man might have different goals and prioroties...

[SUP]

I agree that when one makes Vinegaroon, the pH will change as iron acetate forms. I also agree that the pH of tap water is never exactly 7. How can it be? It will have salts dissolved in it that will affect the pH. All of it is approximations, which works fine, really. It's a folk method, is it not? Used for generations, and working fine all through..

I  prefer not to use a baking soda dip after vinegaroon though That will be far more basic than tap water. I do not think that that basic a solution is needed, even if the vinegaroon is made with 10%acetic acid. A few more minutes of running water to remove the vinegaroon, maybe. After all, Vinegar mixes in water and will be easily rinsed off and that is all that is needed. The chemical reaction is between the iron acetate and the tannins. Running water also helps if the leather has also been re-tanned with tea etc. Otherwise, loose iron tannates rub off or bleed if the leather gets damp. 

Like I said, running water works for me.  I have used it Vinegeroon  for leather caps and no complaints about smell from the wearers. 

To each his own, though.