Vinegar/wrought iron solution

[KentSmith]

I was going to say why clean them off as the acid works on the iron, the grease might slow the start of the reaction( but I doubt it much ) but Dan said it better.

[Habu]

I've been using the filings from sharpening saws.  I just wrap a magnet in a ziplock bag, then set it on the floor under the saw filer.  By the time I've got a couple saws re-toothed and sharpened, I'll have enough filings for a batch of stain. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

When using vinegar/iron stain on leather, has anyone noticed an acidic effect of metal, such as brass cartridge cases.  I used Ferric Nitrate solution on a cartridge belt once, and I could not keep the brass from corroding - and fast!  I neutralized the leather with baking soda, and then ammonia, and it still was hard on the polished brass.  If vinegroon is less corrosive, I'm going to make some up.

[Mark Elliott]

Taylor,  You shouldn't neutralize leather.   It will cause it to dry rot.   Baking Soda will turn leather into cardboard.   I had to repair a couple of my bags because of it.   I always rinse my leather after staining until little or no stain comes out.   That should take out any extra stain that might cause you a problem.   I have never experience the problem you described with either AQ or vinegaroon on leather.   If properly made,  both should be only mildly acidic; but I have noticed that some of my AQ on a rag will rust any iron nearby.   The vinegar certainly starts out less acidic than nitric.    It takes many months to brew proper vinegaroon using small pieces of wrought iron.   

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thanks Mark.  I really liked the even black the Ferric Nitrate gave the leather, so I'll make up some vinegar/iron solution and give it another go.

[Mark Elliott]

The Vinegaroon works just as well on leather as the AQ, but it can take a long time to brew.   If you want a dark brown or black,  it is better than commercial leather dye or stain.    Vinegaroon takes relatively little to do the job as compared to oil stain/dye and it doesn't continue to wash out nearly as bad once you have rinsed it.   

[Long John]

Taylor,

When you use ferric nitrate, no matter what you use it on, you still have to heat the stained object to force the nitrate to combine with water, making nitric acid (HNO₃) that can evaporate from the stained object.  If you don't, the nitrate will remain in the stained object and, over time, absorb water vapor from the air and turn into nitric acid.  That nitric acid will corrode almost everything except gold and platinum.

Using vinegar/iron stain the vinegar (acetic acid) has such a high vapor pressure at room temperature that no heating is necessary to drive it off the stained object.  Therefore, little, if any, corrosion will result.

Best Regards,

John Cholin

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

John, that's the answer!  The Ferric Nitrate turns the leather jet black without heating and so remains in the leather as acidic.  And that's what I did.
Need some vinegaroon!!

[G Jantz]

Being a NEWBEE here I don't reply to posts, I read a lot and learn. My hobby for the last 40 some years is in the automotive/custom cars and custom painting. We are currently finishing a 64 Rolls silver shadow for a banker. Back to the subject: when we have bare metal and have to start painting you have to make sure there is NO type of oil on the metal. be it from your hands or oils from say air driven tools, we use a product called metal prep. Just spray it on (Hand pump spray bottle) blow it off and spray. I mean spray in just a few minutes. You can't go to lunch and come back and spray it, you will all ready have rusty brown color covering the metal, it's already starting to rust. You can purchase it at any auto paint supply store, drop the filings in a glass jar, add the metal prep to the jar, leave for a short time and drain off. Just thought it might help.
Greg

[KLMoors]

Has anybody had the vinegaroon turn leather a blue-black color? I occasionally have that happen and don't know why.

[Mark Elliott]

Blue-black is the normal color for vinegaroon and sometimes AQ.    AQ tends to be a little more brown, but it all depends on the amount of tanic acid in the leather.    If you don't want black, don't use either of the products on leather.   If you get dark brown, that is a bonus.   

[James Rogers]

Has anybody had the vinegaroon turn leather a blue-black color? I occasionally have that happen and don't know why.

Yes, vinegar black will produce that shade on light veg. tan  A little neatsfoot or olive oil on the leather will kill the blue somewhat.

[KLMoors]

Interesting.  It happens on some pieces but not others for me, with my batch.

Thanks!