What does pickling to to your capes? What is used to make a pickling brew? Thanks.
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Pickling preps the hide for tanning. In most cases it is required for a complete tan. it plumps the hide up (makes it thicker and stiffer) and makes it easy to shave it thinner (for a softer leather or hide) just about any acid and salt will make a pickle but some acids are better than other. for example, Saftee acid by Rittles is IMHO the best. but formic and citric are also good acids for a pickle, you should avoid acids like sulphuric and hidrocloric acids. to make a pickle for each gal of water add one pound of salt and enough acid to drop the ph to 1-2 (this is verry dificult with formic acid) Have fun! Joe
As long as you keep your ph down around 1.5 to 2.0 is it kills bacteria. That is the reason you can keep skins in the pickle for long peiods of time. Even for long term storing if needed. As well as the things mentioned above.
Todd B
The pickle causes the interior of the skin to become acidic, which is beneficial in tanning because the tanins are attracted to the acid ions. Get a video on tanning like the McKenzie tanning basics and you'll be on your way. The Breakthrough mammal taxidermy manual also covers this well.