BICARB AND KERO TANNING

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BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by alan j » 03 Apr 2016, 11:54 am

Hi has anyone used the bicarb and kero paste for tanning a skin. If so how did it work out and what method did you use. A mate scrapes off the dried bicarb and puts a new layer of paste on every day for a week. I know this method is frowned upon by some, but it would be interesting to get some of your opinions.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Oldbloke » 03 Apr 2016, 12:11 pm

Must be 40 yrs since I did that. It worked but results fair only.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Noisydad » 03 Apr 2016, 1:22 pm

Haven't tried that one but have bark tanned fox skins and it took 20 years for the fur to start slipping.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by <<Genesis93>> » 03 Apr 2016, 1:55 pm

try brain tanning.....evolution has conveniently provided a sufficient supply of brain in most species to tan their own hide... except for the really bigguns like Buffalo.. :thumbsup:

Theres a technique involved, boiling down the brain then rubbing the oils/fats into the dried/cured skin...never done it myself but the Indian, sorry, what was I thinking - 'Native Americans' swear by it....
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by happyhunter » 03 Apr 2016, 7:34 pm

Kero stinks and is so 1940-late. I soak the hide in a 1:1 solution of rock salt and aluminium sulfate (the stuff you add to pool water to make it go clear) then stretch and work it until dry.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Title_II » 03 Apr 2016, 7:57 pm

Just use the brain.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Die Judicii » 03 Apr 2016, 8:25 pm

As I just said in a similar post a few minutes ago,,,,,, use the "Salt and Alum method".

Cheap, with excellent results, and hide finishes up very soft and pliable. :thumbsup:
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Gwion » 04 Apr 2016, 10:44 am

Hey DJ, i tried searching for the thread you mentioned, with details of the salt, alum tan. Couldn't find it. Any chance of a link?

Cheers
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Die Judicii » 04 Apr 2016, 9:24 pm

Yeah, its got me beat,,,,, I looked thru all my posts, and can't find it either.
Maybe its buried in a post that got hijacked, and the title doesn't relate to what I may have put in.

So, here goes from memory ( its been quite a few years since I used it )

Ingredients
Mixed fruit, Scotch,,,,,,,,,,,,,, uh oh, wrong recipe. :lol:

Coarse salt, Alum powder, Borax powder. (equal amounts of each) Mixed together.

Method
Freshly skinned hide, spread out flat, (fur side under, and rawhide facing up)
Cover it all over with the powder mix, approx 1/4 to 1/2 inch,
Rub in gently with fingers, making sure all folds and curls are covered.
Fold skin to skin, and then roll or fold till you can get into a plastic bag. (get size bags to suit the size of the hide)
Put the bag with the hide in it, in a cool place (definately out of the sun, and away from cats and dogs)
Next day take hide out of bag, and gently shake off all loose powder. (for the 1st days or week it'll be a bit juicy)
Reapply the powder mix, and again fold up skin to skin, and put into a plastic bag.
Keep repeating this procedure for 14 days minimum.
At the end of the 14 day minimum, spread (fairly tight) the hide on a suitable flat board, and nail/staple all around the edges.

Leave it to dry thoroughly in a well aired, dry, shady place. (an unused shearing shed is ideal)
When properly dry, remove the nails/staples. (it's most likely to be stiff as a board)
Trim off any ragged edges and bits you don't want.

Then get a block of limestone (easy if your in Sth East of SA) approx 4 to 6 inches square by approx 2 inches thick.
Just rub the stone back and forth across and around the treated side till all traces of sinew, fat, and fleshy bits wear away and come off.
Once done properly and all over, the hide should be clean and fairly soft and flexible.

Back in the 1960s/70s, BP Servos used to sell a detergent called "Comprox".
We used to wash the hide in an old washing machine (twin tubs were good) with comprox added.
This used to lubricate the leather, and make it extra soft and pliable. (not sure if ordinary dish detergent would do the same)
After washing, hang the hide in the shade, and let it dry.

This method produced good quality leather that lasted for many years without any hair/fur slip.

Hope the above helps some of you guys out.
:thumbsup:
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Gwion » 04 Apr 2016, 9:34 pm

Cheers. Will give it a go.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by AusC » 05 Apr 2016, 10:58 am

Die Judicii wrote:(for the 1st days or week it'll be a bit juicy)


And the smell, bellissimo!
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by alan j » 17 Apr 2016, 7:01 pm

A mate just used omo washing powder and water made into a thick paste reapplied when dry for 10 days. Seems to have penetrated and worked well, no slip. Smells better than kero to.
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Oldbloke » 17 Apr 2016, 8:25 pm

The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by Gregg » 19 May 2016, 1:47 pm

alan j wrote:Smells better than kero to.


Taking away the hide smell as opposed to adding to it like kero does I suppose
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by scoutinabout » 30 May 2016, 9:39 am

alan j wrote:A mate just used omo washing powder

Can you break down his recipe/process ?
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Re: BICARB AND KERO TANNING

Post by <<Genesis93>> » 31 May 2016, 10:29 am

scoutinabout wrote:
alan j wrote:A mate just used omo washing powder

Can you break down his recipe/process ?


SKIN + OMO :unknown:
Rinse and repeat till OMO bright :thumbsup:
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