hello my rabbitt skins that i have tanned so far have all turned out good on the fur side but the skin side is not flexibe and rough and when i foldit it will make a noise like paper and i used SO-320 tanning oil on them i want them to be more leathery and clothlike.
thanks
Return to Tanning Category Menu
My best guess is that that "parchment" or "paper" feeling tells you it lacks oil - or - it was stretched or tacked out too thin and as it dried it squeezed the oil from the skin.
Either way - I'd try rehydrating the skin and reoil - then let it dry again and rework it!
To rehydrate it - soak it in water with 4 ozs. of salt per 1 gallon of water for 30 minutes. Remove - put in a plastic garbage bag - tie it off and put in your frig until the nex morning. Take it out and reoil it. Then fold it and allow the oil to soak in for 3-4 hours. After this - hang the skin to dry. When its 95% dry - take it down and work it soft. Dont tack or stretch it out on a stretcher.
so when you oil it you don't tack it?
also it is a tan color and most rabbit skins are white. is this normal?