I have been tanning for a couple of months now and tried different techniques. My question is, I have the video from Matuska Taxidermy ( great video) where he says he uses formic acid for his pickle. He says he has kept skins in that bath for years. Seeing I can only shave my skins when I have the time, can I use saftee acid and take them out and shave them even if it takes me a couple months? Will they be safe?
Just to add: he says he makes up the formic acid pickle and does not have to check the PH again, do I have to check the PH everyday with saftee acid?
Thanks Sara!
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Alot of us here use rittles safetee acid. Once you put the cape in the pickle check it the next day and add if necessary to lower PH to 2. Do this again the next day. It should be stabilized by now but if you have to add some more acid on the second day check the PH again the third day. After it stabilizes, it means that the cape is pretty well acidified and the ph of the cape is getting down closer to two so it is no longer neutralizing the pickle. You may want to ocassionally check the ph but every day would be unnecessary. And yes you can leave them in the Rittels pickle for just as long as formic acid, just keep the ph under 2. Just to note: if you rinse a cape then shave then put it back in the pickle that will raise the PH.
Also there is tons of info in the tanning archives that you would probaly enjoy reading.