Using Test Strips for pH

[jonereb]

My red muscadine is in secondary. I just tested pH using test strips. When I first removed the strip from the wine, it turned green comparable to the shade representing 3.6, but after waiting 10 to 15 seconds, the strip turns grey. I'm not sure how to read this. Can someone offer insight?

READINGS:
starting gravity: 1.050
After adding sugar: 1.090
After fermentation: 0.990 -- pH: 3.6? -- TA 6%

If these readings are correct, should I attempt any adjustments?

 

[RPh_Guy]

Besides being difficult to read (especially with colored wine), pH strips are pretty unreliable, off by as much as 0.4.

You only need pH for adjusting sulfite additions.

Try bench testing some TA adjustments if you want. Totally up to you and your taste. 6% TA is pretty reasonable.