hosscomp Report post Posted September 14, 2011 I read that I should clean my tooled leather with oxalic acid solution before dying it. My local CVS drugstore didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for it. Is there another name I should ask for it by? Or will something else work as well? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted September 14, 2011 I read that I should clean my tooled leather with oxalic acid solution before dying it. My local CVS drugstore didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for it. Is there another name I should ask for it by? Or will something else work as well? I'm not sure, but I think oxalic acid is sold as "Wood Bleach" at hardware and home improvement stores, it is usually near the area where floor finishes and spackling is. However, peroxide compounds and chlorine compounds can also be marketed as wood bleach, so check the label. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cybertracy Report post Posted September 14, 2011 most grocery stores carry Barkeeper's Friend (among the powder cleansers). It is oxalic acid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hosscomp Report post Posted September 15, 2011 Thanks, all. I went to the local Kroger today and found the Bar Keeper's Friend next to the Comet. Mixed a teaspoon in a pint of water and it seemed to do fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy Robbins Report post Posted September 18, 2011 I read that I should clean my tooled leather with oxalic acid solution before dying it. My local CVS drugstore didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for it. Is there another name I should ask for it by? Or will something else work as well? Hosscomp, Did you ask the pharmacist? If they don't know i would try another....oxalic is the correct name. It is a white powder you mix with water. You may want to call first....it helps clean any oils or lightens stains left on the leather....make sure you rinse thoroughly. Good luck! Sandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny B Report post Posted September 18, 2011 I have found it is best to keep the leather clean right from the start. I wear nitrate gloves whenever I work my leather if I am concerned about the finish. Most of what I make is sheaths and most of them are distresses in one way or another so It doesn't matter as much. I use raw hide a lot and lot of my vegitan gets antiqued with stains, oven cleaner, hydrochloric acid and such. I do wash clean my leather before stain with alcohol. That pretty much cleans off anything left on the leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hosscomp Report post Posted September 18, 2011 Hosscomp, Did you ask the pharmacist? If they don't know i would try another....oxalic is the correct name. It is a white powder you mix with water. You may want to call first....it helps clean any oils or lightens stains left on the leather....make sure you rinse thoroughly. Good luck! Sandy Yes, I did, Sandy. I even explained what I needed it for and that it was likely in crystal form. But the Bar Keeper's Friend does the job and costs less than $2. I went to their web site and the ingredients was listed as oxalic acid. It also works great on counter tops. Thanks, Ron Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy Robbins Report post Posted September 18, 2011 Yes, I did, Sandy. I even explained what I needed it for and that it was likely in crystal form. But the Bar Keeper's Friend does the job and costs less than $2. I went to their web site and the ingredients was listed as oxalic acid. It also works great on counter tops. Thanks, Ron That's good to know about the Bar Keeper's Friend. You can also use 1/2 lemon rubbed on certain spots too. I am glad you found something to work for you! Sandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
