Thinning old super strong vinegaroon?

[Tallbald]

Hi folks. Really enjoying my Cowboy 3500 sewing machine and have several small projects under my belt on it. On that note, I'll ask this.
My vinegaroon is the same batch I made in March of 2011 and it's become full of sediment and/or residue and super super black and kinda thick. I plan on filtering it through an old t-shirt today and honestly would like to thin it some to be able to cover holsters completely without having to shift them around in the plastic soaking pan. Can I just filter it and then thin it  50% with tap water? Thanks. Don

[Camano Ridge]

I have never tried thining my vinegroon.I amy be wrong but my first reaction would be not with water, I would thin it with vinegar. Hopefuly CHuck Burrows or someone will chime in here.

[Tallbald]

Well I decided to see what happens on a small scale. I filtered the whole thing through an old pair of cotton underwear (give it a brownish cast??) . Then I watered down a portion 50/50 with just plain tap water, guessing that table  vinegar is mostly water. The vinegaroon was much thinner now, and I suspended a small scrap of veg tanned in it on a stainless steel wire. Within moments the leather had turned a deep black. So I went ahead and cut the whole thing with water. Now I can submerge an entire holster at once. Gosh I love vinegaroon. Going to try making some coffee/tea stain for my holsters this evening too. I just don't like commercial dyes. And it's too early to find walnut husks here in KY yet. Thanks for looking. Don

[ChuckBurrows]

If the vinegar black is good and strong than as you found out water works fine to dilute it. Keep the fines/sludge though and add more vinegar - they should get you another batch going with the addition of new iron based material if need be.

[Tallbald]

Chuck I had not thought of that! I supposed that the sludge at the bottom was perhaps bits of leather and trash from 3 years of use. I admit I haven't ever filtered my mix before. Maybe you could teach me this: How to tell......."When Good Vinegaroon Goes Bad!", like the TV show I hate to admit I sometimes watch late at night. Does it become lighter in color? Does it just stop coloring the leather? Mine has very little vinegar scent now.Thanks, Don.

[ChuckBurrows]

The only bad I've ever experienced is not blacking as strongly as before - in that case I just kick start it with a bit more vinegar and iron. The only time I've ever discarded the mix is when moving homes any distance.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

The only bad I've ever experienced is not blacking as strongly as before - in that case I just kick start it with a bit more vinegar and iron. The only time I've ever discarded the mix is when moving homes any distance.

+ 1

tEN wOLVES

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It's like a soup pot. Just keep adding a little when it needs it. I still have a batch I made 3 or 4 years ago. Like Chuck said, when it gets greyish, I add a little more iron and vinegar. It's great stuff.

[Tallbald]

Were it not for the wonderful folks on this forum, I never would have learned the wonders of this magical, marvelous blackening agent for leather. If all things I made (or attempted to make) from leather were acceptable fodder to share on this forum, I'm sure I'd be posting and learning yet more. I so enjoy making my western flavor holsters and to date have made probably half a dozen with fairly good results. Unfortunately most of the holsters I create are to meet another specific need of self, family or friends for sturdy, affordable .....concealed carry....handguns. Those plus cell phone cases, folding knife sheaths and check book covers still go into the 'roon. No stained fingers, quick spill clean-up and deep black color are wonderful. Thanks again everyone. Don

[Camano Ridge]

Don, you can post those other items in the non cowboy heading. There are concealed carry and other items posted their. We would love to see some of your other work.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Don, you can post those other items in the non cowboy heading. There are concealed carry and other items posted their. We would love to see some of your other work.

+1 on this.

[Tallbald]

Well then I'll share photos of some holsters I designed and made. Thank you! Don