Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Salt-Acid Tanning
For the salt-acid tanning solution, use a plastic drum or plastic garbage can;
do not use a metal container. For best results, the solution should remain at
about room temperature — between 65 and 75°F (18.3 and 23.9°C).
Use your choice of only
one
of the acids (see box, Salt-Acid Tanning
Solution, below), with the water and salt. A choice of acids is given so that you
can use the one most easily obtained in your area. Whichever acid you use,
measure it carefully and store it in a safe place. If you are measuring liquid
acid, use a glass or plastic cup, not metal. Adding acid to water is
dangerous
!
Add it
slowly,
letting the acid enter at the edge of the water. Rinse the measur-
ing cup in the solution, and stir the mixture with a wooden paddle.
Immerse the pelt in the tanning solution, push it down with the wooden
paddle, and stir slowly. Leave the pelt in the solution for at least 5 days (the
pelt should be left up to 2 weeks if the temperature of the solution does not
get over 75°F [23.9°C]). Keep the pelt submerged, and stir it gently from time
to time.
To neutralize the tanning solution, follow these steps:
1.
Remove the pelt, and spin out the tanning solution in the spin cycle of
your washer.
2.
Rinse the pelt in clear water twice, then spin out the rinse water.
3.
Immerse the pelt in a solution of water and borax, using 1 ounce of borax
to each gallon of water.
4.
Work the pelt by stirring it frequently for about an hour in this solution,
then rinse out in clear water.
5.
Spin out the rinse water. This step is necessary to neutralize the acid solu-
tion so that it does not remain on the skin and damage it.
When you are fi nished neutralizing the acid, move down to Drying and
Softening the Pelt, on page 360.
SALT-ACID TANNING SOLUTION
For each 1 gallon of clear 70°F (21.1°C) water, use 1 pound pickling
and canning salt and one of the following acids in the amount speci-
fi ed: 1 ounce concentrated sulfuric acid
or
4 ounces new battery
acid
or
½ cup sodium bisulfate dry crystals
or
2 ounces oxalic acid
crystals.
