g4ghb
06-03-09, 11:40 AM
There has been some discussion regarding colouring leather using vinagaroon in the past so here is how I make and use it. I posted it initally over on BCUK but thought it would probably be of interest here too:rolleyes:
MAKING VINEGAROON
‘Ingredients’ – Steel wool & Distilled Vinegar
This batch was made using an old brillo pad which was washed till no soap remained then left to rust in a jar.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7959/hpim1128.jpg
To speed the rusting along I rinse the wool with a little water then pour out the excess to keep it damp for a few days.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7605/hpim1130.jpg
Fill up your jar with the wool in it with distilled vinegar (this is Tesco value brand!)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4817/hpim1134.jpg
And give it a good shake – it will look like brown muddy sludge – NOTE – ensure you loosen off the lid aftwards! (it will produce gas and build up pressure while ‘brewing’ and it can explode if you leave the lid firmly on.
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8161/hpim1145.jpg
After a few days it will look like this – you can see the bubbles still being produced!
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6853/hpim1142.jpg
Lock the lid back on and give it another good shake before loosening off and leaving for another couple of days – repeat this for about a week till the wool is dissolved away.
It will probably still be cloudy sludge looking so I filter through a piece of kitchen paper to take out the big bits
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9067/hpim1148.jpg
Once filtered it should look a little like weak back tea – ENSURE you label it well!
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3802/hpim1149.jpg
You can use it straight away but I have found it better to leave it a couple of days to ‘mature’ – it kinda clears and looks more like a liquid rather than a solution if that makes sense.
USING VINEGAROON
It’s simple - really simple! Either dip your veg tanned leather into the solution or daub / brush it on. It starts to darken almost immediately. You may have to do 2 or 3 applications to get the colour you want although it does darken and look better once it is oiled or waxed (I use mink oil)
To neutralize the acid I soak a couple of times in a strong bicarbonate of soda solution then finally rinse in clean water.
Here is a before shot of my demo piece of leather beside a white sheet of paper
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4724/hpim1218r.jpg
A link to a(poor and out of focus) video of the process to show the speed of the change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkOLb5QOf5U
And finally a pic of the result (before neutralizing and oiling!)
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9431/hpim1221.jpg
Please note this is not a dye - it changes the structure of the leather itself so it will not wear off - however I find it gives a more even effect and is very quick and cheap!
FINALLY..... ONE I MADE EARLIER!
A sheath I made to show the effect on an actual piece
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8075/hpim1161dr9.jpg
MAKING VINEGAROON
‘Ingredients’ – Steel wool & Distilled Vinegar
This batch was made using an old brillo pad which was washed till no soap remained then left to rust in a jar.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7959/hpim1128.jpg
To speed the rusting along I rinse the wool with a little water then pour out the excess to keep it damp for a few days.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7605/hpim1130.jpg
Fill up your jar with the wool in it with distilled vinegar (this is Tesco value brand!)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4817/hpim1134.jpg
And give it a good shake – it will look like brown muddy sludge – NOTE – ensure you loosen off the lid aftwards! (it will produce gas and build up pressure while ‘brewing’ and it can explode if you leave the lid firmly on.
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8161/hpim1145.jpg
After a few days it will look like this – you can see the bubbles still being produced!
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6853/hpim1142.jpg
Lock the lid back on and give it another good shake before loosening off and leaving for another couple of days – repeat this for about a week till the wool is dissolved away.
It will probably still be cloudy sludge looking so I filter through a piece of kitchen paper to take out the big bits
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9067/hpim1148.jpg
Once filtered it should look a little like weak back tea – ENSURE you label it well!
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3802/hpim1149.jpg
You can use it straight away but I have found it better to leave it a couple of days to ‘mature’ – it kinda clears and looks more like a liquid rather than a solution if that makes sense.
USING VINEGAROON
It’s simple - really simple! Either dip your veg tanned leather into the solution or daub / brush it on. It starts to darken almost immediately. You may have to do 2 or 3 applications to get the colour you want although it does darken and look better once it is oiled or waxed (I use mink oil)
To neutralize the acid I soak a couple of times in a strong bicarbonate of soda solution then finally rinse in clean water.
Here is a before shot of my demo piece of leather beside a white sheet of paper
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4724/hpim1218r.jpg
A link to a(poor and out of focus) video of the process to show the speed of the change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkOLb5QOf5U
And finally a pic of the result (before neutralizing and oiling!)
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9431/hpim1221.jpg
Please note this is not a dye - it changes the structure of the leather itself so it will not wear off - however I find it gives a more even effect and is very quick and cheap!
FINALLY..... ONE I MADE EARLIER!
A sheath I made to show the effect on an actual piece
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8075/hpim1161dr9.jpg