I in one book I read it said not to rinse the pickle solution off with clear water before you put the skin into the neutralizing solution, because the water would rush into the cells rapidly and cause acid swell because there wouldn't be a buffer. In another book says to rinse with clear water before neutralizing the skin .Which one is right?
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Hank;
Rule #1 is never put a pickled skin in plain water. The water should always have salt in it or it WILL acid swell.
Coyote
Thats what I thought. thanks
because if you neutralize like I do and put the cape,(skin) in a solution of water and baking soda, at 1 TBLsp. per gallon, and no salt, and let it soak 25 min. acid swell is not a problem. I wouldn't leave a cape in plain water for an extended time, but a rinse in cold water certainly should not hurt it. I usually rinse my capes before I neutralize them, but again I rinse, not soak.
I sometimes rinse,(not soak) skins before putting them in water/baking soda,... but, definitely rinse skins after neutralizing so any remaining baking soda will not change PH of your tanning solution, ,..Dan