Markallheart Report post Posted September 9, 2020 Hi all. I was hoping maybe someone could give me some suggestions I received a nice leather split to use for a project however upon opening the packaging the lest her smells strongly of fish. It's a veg tan split if that makes any differenc. Does anyone first now why it might smell this way and secondly how I can go about removing or covering up this smell as no one will want an item that smells this way. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike02130 Report post Posted September 9, 2020 Is it fish or a chemical or dye smell? Just wondering because i recently bought a dyed veg tan shoulder that stunk. I aired it out for two weeks but it still stunk and I sent it back. I bought it from a dealer in the southeast, how about you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Markallheart Report post Posted September 9, 2020 To me it smells fishy but I guess it could be a dye. Been assured that no fish oil is used in the tanning by the supplier. Perhaps it's just me and it needs airing out and will be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alaisiagae Report post Posted September 9, 2020 (edited) Ask a friend or coworker to take a sniff, see if they also think it is fishy. I really don't think leather should smell fishy, could it just be rancid? Edited September 9, 2020 by Alaisiagae Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted September 9, 2020 Sedgwick's tends to have a fish odor. I think they use some fish oil in the mix, apparently an old and very effective conditioner. YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottWolf Report post Posted September 9, 2020 45 minutes ago, YinTx said: Sedgwick's tends to have a fish odor. I think they use some fish oil in the mix, apparently an old and very effective conditioner. YinTx I have read that this is what gives leather that leather smell, but I am not sold on it entirely . I recently tried applying it( Cod liver oil) on both the grain and hide side of a finished piece in a very, very light coat using a rag. The piece indeed smelled like fish for a few days and has subsided, but I am calling BS on it giving it that leather smell or even being worth the conditioning given the stink from using so little of it. I can only image how much it would reek if a liberal application of it is applied to a hide. To the OP: I'd recommend airing the piece out for about a week or more to see if it subsides, if waiting that long is acceptable to you. If it doesn't , I'd ask for a refund from the vendor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted September 10, 2020 As its split you have no idea of what the replacement top layer is made of, I understand often a PU coating Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
