Does anyone know if there is a minimum room temperature needed when working with Kwik-N-Eze ? The basement I will be tanning a pelt in is unheated and the temperature in the basement is about 50 degrees. Is this warm enough to use Kwik-N-Eze ?
Thanks,
Bob
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55 degrees Fahrenhiet should be the minimum temp for pickling and tanning. If your solutions go down to 55 or below - you will begin to see the chemicals in them begin to come out of the solution. Chemists refer to it as precipitation. You will see salt crystals in the hair or fur, and salt will drop to the bottom of the container depending on its concentration in your solution. It could result in losing the skins or capes.
Also remember that chemical reactions slow down in cold solutions. So if you were using an Alum solution - 3 days may not be enough if you were tanning a Fox at 55-60 degrees. I'd leave it longer - maybe 4-5 days to be sure.
The ideal range for pickling and tanning is 65-75 degrees. Thats considered normal for most formula specifications. That way if it says 3 days - go 3 days!