My first "vinegaroon" holster . . . this is neat stuff to use!

[bedbugbilly]

My batch of "vinegaroon" was ready a couple of weeks ago so I tried it out on a small holster for a Ruger Super Bearcat DA 22.  I just made up a quart to try first and I have to say, this stuff is impressive!  I read the FAQ and other posts before I started.  I had a piece of heavier leather - about 12 oz. that I used which was a mistake.  The Bearcat is small and it would have been better to use about 8-9 oz. but I'm still happy with the results.  I am not sure if the steps I used are correct, but . . I cased the leather and did my stamping.  I let the leather dry from the casing and then using a "swab", put repeated coats of the vinegaroon on both the inside and outside - each application I applied it in the opposite direction from the previous.  I NOTE: ended up with a nice deep black.  I neutralized it by first rinsing the leather in running water for a while, then made a baking soda paste up and layeered it on - rubbed it around and let it set for a few minutes - then rinsed well again in running water.  When dry, I assembled and sewed the holster.  For "touch up" on the seam, I used eco flo black dye and it blended in well.  I then burnished the seam.  I "wet moulded" the holster and set aside to dry with the bagged pistol in.  When dry, I applied a number of coats of virgin olive oil.  The holster is "stiff" which is what I wanted so it doesn't "grab" on the pistol when drawing it out.  It got dryer than what I expected but I guess that is a "learning experience" as well?  As a final top coat, I applied some Lexol (just because I had some).  I'm not real happy with Lexol and when I get back out here in AZ next year, I'm going to ordedr some Skidmoores to try since everyone seems to like it.  I let the holster "air out" in the garage and after a couple of weeks, the vinegar smell has cut down quite a bit.  Suggestions on a better way to do it next time?  Thanks!     NOTE - I noticed when editing the photos that I didn't have the pistol slid in all the way when I took the picture - it seats in so the holster covers about half of the triggerguard.

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

BBB great color , two thumbs up.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Very nice!!  My "roon" is ready also. I have tested it on several scraps and tried stamping as well. Stamping first and soaking the piece in roon for as much as 3 days and it came out great when dried and either EVOO or Skidmore`s applied.

Good stuff!! 

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Billy,
Good looking Holster! The color turned out very nice. Thanks for the detailed writeup.

Wolf Tracker was kind enough to give me a jug of Vinegarron. I can't wait to try it out.

[Wolf Tracker]

Billy  The holster turned out very nice. The color is great. I have used vinegroon on some non-western belts I have made and I really like the way it turns out. The color turns a real black after adding the oil and I don't have to worry about it rubbing off on my clothes.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Nice, Billy. That color is hard to beat. I love using the vinegaroon instead of dye. Looks good.