I read somewhere that oxalic acid, during it's break-down process, forms formic acid. In minute quantities. It also forms calcium oxalate and this is the white goo you find at the bottom of a good pickle.
My question is, is this true?
If so, will an oxalic acid pickle, interfere with a formic acid re-pickle 2 weeks later?
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in my own experience the different acids do not interfere with each other when changing pickels. maybe bruce can chime in on this one a bit more.
ej
OK, by "interfere", here's what I mean.
Will this pickle (oxalic) cause the skins to become hard, unyielding, and "waterproof" when immersed in to water, and then immersed in a formic acid pickle?
I'd like to hear from Bruce R, Glen C, or David P. Or anyone else who may know, such as the Knobloch's guys (anyone who actually deals with formic, oxalic, pelts, and rehydration from an air-dry pickled state, work on a regular basis).
dash boy, I think you will be fine. formic and oxalic are verry close to each other. You can make formic acid from oxalic acid. I think the only bad thing that will happen is if you added sulfuric acid to the pickle you will get carbon monoxide gas. see http://designer-drugs.com/pte/12.162.180.114/dcd/chemistry/formic.acid.html Hope this helps. Joe
The tannery was just looking for an excuse to cover up their ineptitude.
I did notice the "waterproofing" effect on any pelt that was extremely oily, which was 6 foxes out of 93. I don't think it has anything to do with what the skins are soaked in, they were just air-dried down really "hard". (to think I almost sent my foxes out... hah!) The grease within the skins just didn't want to get supple right away.
A simple wash in soapy water, followed by a rinse of water, then a soak in oxalic acid pickle for 12 hours, then a full fleshing, then a soak in water with dawn for 10 min. cured it 100%. I tossed these foxes back in the pickle after all these treatments just for kicks, they are doing fine.
Impatience is not good... I am patient with all my pelts. Probably why I see no problems with them.
For some reason I want to call you Ozzy- no offense intended. Making CO raised an eyebrow. From the reading I have, sulfuric has no place in fur dressing period. I deal with some air dried skins, but the origional post led me to believe he wanted an expert, and I havent been in business for myself 20+ years, actually tanning furs, so I feel I didnt qualify.
IT'S OSBORN! No Relation to Ozzy, But that would be cool! I have used sulfuric acid in tanning some 15 years ago, And it will be a cold day in hell before I use that crap again! I have heard a lot of people on here ask questions like can I use this and that? What will it do if I use this and that together? If I said "it will make CO and kill you." Some other knob would say "you are fulla crap, I have been doing that for years with no problems."
I have caught myself running to the door to get air more than once! I have melted the hair off a cape a few times too. But like I said, "I am no Bruce, or Glen"
Have a great 4th! Joe
Good to know ya! Its good to see a few new folks posting, especially informed ones.