Drying time in cooler temps

Hey guys,

I have a wt hide tanned Lutan F and oiled copiously with Protal laid out flat and drying in an upstairs room. I'm just wondering- I have read and heard often that "the slower it dries the softer it will be", but is there any drawbacks to drying TOO slow? The room is fairly cool, not freezing but definately chilly. I got a feeling it is going to take a looongg time to dry. I'm not in any great hurry to begin breaking it, but was just concerned about any negative influence that slow and chilly drying time might have.

As always, your input is greatly appreciated!

Michael

Return to Tanning Category Menu

Not exactly true

The hide will be soft ONLY when you break it. No hide gets soft by laying in puddled oil. Reread the instructions on your Protal. If you heated it and poured it on, it should have absorbed. If it didn't, wipe off the excess as it does no good just sitting there.

I know I must break it..

Thanks George for your response. Yes, I know that I must break it. After I oiled it, I rolled it up and let it sweat for about 5 hours, then laid it out flat and wiped off the excess oil. So now I am waiting for it to dry so I can begin breaking it, and was just wondering if the slow drying time or the cooler temp will have any adverse effect on the hide itself.

Mike

No

And I never waited for it to dry before I started breaking it. Remember, the tanneries throw it into the tumbler right out of the tan. Let the oil penetrate and set in for half a day and then gently break it. Repeat the process several times and your hide will be much more pliable.

Hey thanks George

I always thought that the hide had to dry first, at least 75% or so before breaking. Jeez, guess I got work to do!

I appreciate your help George!

Mike

Greater results with SLOWER drying time-- in cool/colder are

Hey Mike... for the past 9 years I have been drying hides/capes very slowly .... in cool or colder rooms in my shop...I have found that when you start to break the hides they get smoother faster. Also, I "break" them a couple of times during the process... they turn out really nice-no matter what tan or process I use...regular manual tanning or auto-tanning....I also have found -pretty consistant- that when using the "auto tanning" method... there is a greater potential for shrinkage...but the capes/hides turning out just as nice.. Good luck.Mark

Thanks George and Mark

Thanks for your input guys!

Mike