Hi. After searching the site it seems like there is a general feeling that lime is too insoluble in water to be used outside of the dry teks. However, internet says repeatedly that limewater with a PH of 12.3 is relatively easy to make. Saturate a solution with lime, let settle, filter, maybe filter again, viola! Lime's solubility in water does decrease as the temperature increases but should be just fine at room temperature range to get that +12 PH.
I have made lots of limewater for hide tanning before and although the solution starts out very milky at first, all undissolved lime settles out after a day or so. Haven't checked the PH on the solutions, but if there was undissolved lime it indicates the solution is fully saturated and the PH would be around 12.3. I guess it could also indicate that the lime never dissolved at all, although after working with my hands in the stuff I can say that it was strongly basic.
Is there something I am missing about limewater? Another reason that it would not work/be ideal?
A search for "limewater" gives plenty of examples of how to make it.
As soon as I attempt some limewater and test PH I will report back.
Thanks everyone for making the Nexus such as special place!
I have made lots of limewater for hide tanning before and although the solution starts out very milky at first, all undissolved lime settles out after a day or so. Haven't checked the PH on the solutions, but if there was undissolved lime it indicates the solution is fully saturated and the PH would be around 12.3. I guess it could also indicate that the lime never dissolved at all, although after working with my hands in the stuff I can say that it was strongly basic.
Is there something I am missing about limewater? Another reason that it would not work/be ideal?
A search for "limewater" gives plenty of examples of how to make it.
As soon as I attempt some limewater and test PH I will report back.
Thanks everyone for making the Nexus such as special place!
