Ferric Acetate a.k.a Vinegarroon Dye

My FFR Roadster comes with some leather door straps and I wanted to dye them darker to fit the look of the interior. I didn’t want to dye the stitches so a regular black dye wouldn’t work – check this out!

Simple concoction to make this (and super cheap!)
• mason jar(s) https://amzn.to/3uDnmiY
• vinegar (I used white vinegar, but apple cider works good too!) https://amzn.to/3a9ADWW
• 0000 steel wool (don’t use a brillo pad because of the soap) https://amzn.to/3uH6tnw
• plastic wrap https://amzn.to/3A5E2kc
• coffee filters https://amzn.to/3lhw6IF
• paintbrush, you can use a foam brush as well https://amzn.to/3D6TM8q
• a few days’ time…

Steps to create this:

1. Fill one of your jars with steel wool. I did about 1 steel wool pads in my 16 oz jar but depending on the size of your mason jar you can add more/less. You can also shred them up to create more surface area.
2. Fill the jar with vinegar, about 3/4ths full if it’s a smaller jar. Cover it up with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it. This allows some of the gas to escape during the chemical process.
3. Make sure you put your jar somewhere that it’s warm, and away from noses – it can smell during the process. Also, protect the area around the jar in case you bump it or spill any of the mixture.
4. Now the patience kicks in – stir it every day to help get the bubbles to rise and mix the rust. Some say by 3 days it should be done. You should be getting a rusty brown color on your surface and more of a rust than a vinegar smell near the end.
5. I filtered the mixture 3 times with the coffee strainer, it’s still a cloudy mixture but you just want to remove the chunks!
6. Be sure to be in a ventilated area and wear some gloves! Paint away! You’ll notice an ashen, or brown tone, but it will get deep grey and after a few coats pretty darn black!
7. Some rinse with a baking soda wash, but I just rinsed the parts well with water. I’ll probably protect it with some mink oil or protectant! Looks darned good if you ask me!

Hope you enjoy!