Vinegaroon Question

[jm190]

Hi Folks,
   I've been lurking here for over a month absorbing all the wisdom and knowledge my brain can absorb. This is a FANTASTIC site.

   I was (re)bitten by the bug while perusing a copy of "Muzzleloader" in a waiting room with my wife. It reminded me that, in this day and age, there are pursuits which can take us back to a simpler time. I enjoyed a percussion revolver and rifle late in the last century. My wife was a furniture grade woodworker and was amazed at the details included in the various works of art in the magazine.

   Anyways I purchased a Traditions kit to make sure I was really interested before investing in a better quality project. It was a worthwhile experience to complete the assembly with guidance from "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle" and "Longrifle Construction Manual Edition 2.0".

   To get to the subject, about five weeks ago I started a batch of vinegaroon hoping to use it on one of my future projects. I had about two feet of very old rusty barbed wire for the iron portion. It's still producing tiny bubbles and I top it off with a little vinegar as the liquid evaporates. It has gained a distinct orange/red tint and I want to ask people with experience if it looks like it's brewing properly. Here is a picture...
   


Thanks for any comments!
John

P.S. I had so much fun with the first project I ordered an Early Lancaster package from Pecatonica.

[45-110]

heck and i thought a vinegeroon was the ugly critter insect we had crawling around in New Mexico!
best
kw

[Mark Elliott]

I looks like mine.

[stubshaft]

I racked it when mine turned that nice amber color.

[hanshi]

Yours looks more better than mine did.

And welcome to the forum, jm190.

[thecapgunkid]

It's brewing just fine.  Every batch I ever made and every shoe I ever dyed with it end up in the same smooth, slick charcoal finish and even a patina on cowhide. 
Try making a batch in September, keeping it room temp, and checking it in April.

Anybody have a combo that will turn Maple Brown? 
Thanks

Capgun

[Old Ford2]

I have some vinegaroon in a one gallon plastic bottle for about five years.
It is quite dark, should I separate the sludge and keep the liquid?
What is the best application?
I have brushed it on some scrap curly maple, and the result was a greenish tint.
Not sure if I want that color.
Help needed.
Fred

[thecapgunkid]

Old Ford2...

It's probably some infusion of the plastic or some such that you'll never find out.  Separate the sludge and get it into some glass jars.  I've always put m,ine in glass and it has always dyed leather black.  Once I got a slate blue on a stock, so I ended up using it to whisker.

The only way to see results is to try it on scrap pieces.