The first important processes of tanning exotic leathers are soaking and descaling. During this key step, batches of skins (or lots) are placed in huge paddle tanks filled with water and other processing materials which gently dissolve the scaly layer of the skin, while the paddle softly agitates the water to "open up" the skin and encourage the sloughing of the scales. After 7-10 days, when the grain of the skin is exposed and the pH of the water is adjusted, the skins are ready for tanning.
The tanning of the skins takes place in large drums which are filled with water and other solutions, one of which is a mineral based tanning substance called "chrome". The skins will churn in the drums over the course of the next several days.
Once removed from the drums, the skins have changed into a rubbery, leathery state known as "wet-blue". Skins are held in wet-blue for a period of several weeks to ensure the tannage is complete and the chrome becomes firmly bound in the skin.
After the skins have "rested" in the wet-blue phase, they are shaved to a uniform thickness by a machinist who skillfully operates a high speed rotating blade. Each skin is meticulously checked after shaving to ensure strict rigorous quality standards are met.
After shaving, skins are readied for the bleaching, neutralization and re-tanning phase to begin. The skins are placed into huge drums where natural markings and pigment in the skins are removed. All free radicals / acids in the skins are neutralized and the exact characteristics of the leather are imparted into the skin by the addition of synthetic or vegetable re-tanning extracts. Finally, specially formulated "fat liquor" oils are added to the skins to achieve the perfect touch and enhance the beauty of the leather.
At this point, Skins are selected For Different Finishing options such as Millennium, Matte, or Glazed/High-Shine, Depending on the end-user requirements & Customer's needs.
Finally, once skins pass our rigorous quality control, they are ready to be graded, measured, and packed. Each skin is personally checked by a member of the Plott family before leaving the tannery and receiving the seal of approval to be delivered to our customers.