First Batch Of Vinegaroon

[Roger J]

After reading all the posts about vinegaroon here, I just had to make some out of curiosity and for testing purposes.

I made a cups' worth that came out orange, but works super well.

1cup 5% white vinegar, 1/2 pad (about six grams) of OOOO steel wool, and two weeks wait time.

video of test on 1/8" (3 mm) veg tan:

click to play

photo of test piece after 12 hours dry time; cut in half to show center of leather is also black:

Needless to say I'll be making more of this stuff

Edited March 25, 2014 by Roger J

[Troy I]

Never had it come out orange...always clear after straining it through an old t-shirt or sock...sometimes a light rust color, but not as dark as yours.

If it works, that's all that counts.

[Roger J]

Never had it come out orange...always clear after straining it through an old t-shirt or sock...sometimes a light rust color, but not as dark as yours.

If it works, that's all that counts.

Ya, I'm wondering if it is because it was made in such a small batch. Should know in a few weeks time

Did the video come out OK on your end?

[Troy I]

Video would not load...but then again I'm using my phone...that might be the problem. When I make vinegaroon I just fill a jar about 3/4 full with steal wool and fill the jar up with white vinegar and let it sit for about 3 or 4 weeks at least. Then strain and use. The only problem is the smell. ..it takes a long time for the smell to leave the leather.

[SteelcityK9Cop]

I just made a one gallon test batch.... im not getting the DEEP black i see in the photo. It's only been a week however.

[Troy I]

I just made a one gallon test batch.... im not getting the DEEP black i see in the photo. It's only been a week however.

[Troy I]

Try dipping the leather again, let it dry, oil with pure neets foot oil...this should bring the black out.

Oh yeah...make sure to neutralize with baking soda

[humperdingle]

Try dipping the leather again, let it dry, oil with pure neets foot oil...this should bring the black out.Oh yeah...make sure to neutralize with baking soda

I'm going to try this vinegaroon stuff :D

Do you make a solution of baking soda?

[Troy I]

I mix a good heaping tablespoon of baking soda with about 1 gal of water.

This is the way I do it; pour vinegaroon on a pan...dip leather in vinegaroon for 15 to 20 sec...take out let sit for 20 to 30 min...pour baking soda in pan dip leather in baking soda mix for 15 to 20 sec., rubbing it in a little...take leather out, rinse with plain water and let it dry completely. .oil with pure neets foot oil...let the oil soak in--a few hours to a day...and then finish with your favorite top coat.

[humperdingle]

I mix a good heaping tablespoon of baking soda with about 1 gal of water.

This is the way I do it; pour vinegaroon on a pan...dip leather in vinegaroon for 15 to 20 sec...take out let sit for 20 to 30 min...pour baking soda in pan dip leather in baking soda mix for 15 to 20 sec., rubbing it in a little...take leather out, rinse with plain water and let it dry completely. .oil with pure neets foot oil...let the oil soak in--a few hours to a day...and then finish with your favorite top coat.

Thanks. All sounds a bit like 'old fashioned' photo developing!

I seem to remember using a vinegar-smelling stop bath then, too.

[jdowney]

That is pretty cool, I hadn't realized you could use it for leather too (silly me :D )

I use this on maple to get a nice amber color without muddying up the grain with pigment stains. I follow the dip in ferric acetate (or vinegaroon :D ) with a dip in lye and then linseed oil.

Kinda off topic I know, but I'm struck by how some of these long time recipes have such varied uses!

I suppose it is really the same use - the iron reacts with tannin in each case, no? Neat!