Looked thru vinegaroon threads, but stiil have a question please.

[Tallbald]

Started my mixture 3-28-11 with supermarket vinegar heated and cleaned steel wool. 1 pad to 1 quart. Shake daily. Solution stays mostly clear above the sediment that settles to bottom until shaken up again. am I doing wrong? Thanks, Don.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Howdy Don

       Read this link, it will tell all you need to know http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,11991.0.html

[Tallbald]

Hi Ten and as always, thank you. I had indeed read that particular post, but didn't see (maybe I'm missing it though) something saying that the solution remains rather clear looking when it sets and settles. Does the vinegar solution I draw off, let set a week then bottle remain sort of clear? Thanks again Ten, Don.

[ChuckBurrows]

The color can vary from clear to dark black to yucky looking based on what type of iron/steel was used. So judging by the color doesn't really tell you anything - if it turns the leather black then it works no matter the color of the liquid....

[bedbugbilly]

Tallbald -  I made my first quart a short time ago.  I used about a pound of plain short "cement nails" - not cut but looking like a regular "common" nail - no plating = mainly because that's what I had.  My solution turned out quite black and sot of yucky looking.  I put it in a wide mouth plastic bottle - the nails are still in it or what is left of them.  I've used it a couple of times and I just dip into it with a "swab" - there is sediment at the bottom but I'm careful not to "stir it up".  For best results, I should probably strain it but this batch was made up as an experiment - I'll make a larger batch when I get back out here in AZ next fall.  I was happy with the results - I got a deep black.  I'm not a chemist but I'm guessing that the way the solution ends up looking probably depends on what you put in the vinegar for the steel?  When I applied mine, I put it on with the swab in one direction, the next time I swabbed it on at a right angle to the previous coat.  I kept applying coats until I got the color I was looking for.  Again, I'm no chemist, but I would think that no two batches are going to be alike unless you keep everything constant - liquid volumn wise in regards to the vinegar and quantity, type of whatever you are using for the steel?  Good luck with yours - it'll turn out just fine!   

[Chuck 100 yd]

I don't think you can mess it up. I have made it from Cider vinegar and white vinegar
I used nails with the Cider and steel wool with the white and both work the same.
I made the white using the cheapest made in china steel wool I can find. I put two packages (16 pads in with 2 gal. of vinegar and let it set for 2 weeks and it came out black and leather soaked in it for 24 hours is black all the way through.
Your mileage may differ. That is the fun of experimenting with this stuff.   

[Tallbald]

Thanks folks. I guess the best thing to do in my case is be patient, let it steep, then give it a try regardless of the color of the liquid. I'll post results when I have them. Don.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Don

      Chuck has given you your answer on this, using his method, it took me two weeks for my iron to dissolve, I like to make mine in a large glass gallon jar, and I don't tighten the lid, but leave it a little loose, but each day for those two weeks I would shake it up just to get things working, after my iron was gone, I pour it into a plastic cat litter jug for storage, but for a length of time I will leave the lid off to allow the smell to leave, over time I did have my dye get a little weaker, so I just added more iron shavings and cider vinegar and in a few weeks I had more great Vinegaroon, now before I dye, I always check my results first , if I find it's weak I add more ingredients and wait for it to take effect, just a note, I tried Chuck Burrows suggestion on giving  my leather a BLACK TEA bath before dyeing with Vinegaroon, and he is right on, I got an even deeper darker black, so Chuck thanks for the heads up pard, and all the guidance, I know I speak for all of us on this, your input is always very much appreciated.

                  tEN wOLVES   

[WaddWatsonEllis]

FWIW,

Marine-mp sent me a cup of very tiny iron filings ... I put it in a half gallon of vinegar, only turned it once or twice, and in two weeks the iron had dissolved completely and the Vinagaraoon was jet black.

He said he would be more that willing to send a cup to any who needed it ... and it was tiny filings like a threading machime makes ... about a quarter inch long .... so it is the size that would dissove really easily ....

So if you need to make some of the vinagaroon mixture I would suggest sending a PM to marine-mp and see if he still does this ...