Black Dyes And Finishing, Share Your Wisdom...

[NakedDog]

My Vinegaroon is really working great! I love that it goes into the entire piece of leather and if I decide to trim a piece off, it's still black underneath. How long does it continue to smell like vinegar? I've rinsed well and will oil today, I expect that will help cancel out the vinegar smell.

Also, I'm making bracelets and need a flexible finish that won't crack with the action of wearing the leather around your wrist and repeatedly taking it off. Suggestions....?

If nobody has ideas on this I may just need to oil the leather with neats foot or Lexol and leave it at that.

[Troy I]

The smell will last several weeks...I did a rifle sling about a month ago and I can still smell the vinegar. ..faint but still there...I've had the smell stay for a very long time on some projects...and on some only a week or two.

I would recommend for your finish, something like Lexol or Montana Pitch Blend over top of your oil.

You might also want to try an acrylic wax, like Mop and Glow mixed 50-50 with water...and no more than 2 light coats...try on scrap leather first to see how you like it.

[DavidL]

another thing is angelus dyes leave a chemical smell on the leather that doesn't seem to fade, but is not noticeable unless its close to your face. Unsure if fiebings is the same.