Peter,
Every so often, I would like to use purpleheart, or Fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria), but what I’ve read tells me they both turn brown or reddish-brown over time. Purpleheart seems to turn because of oxidation, but Fustic seems to be photo-sensitive like cherry. Some retailers say to mix a color stabilizer for purpleheart (It’s easy to mix and apply!) but no one can tell me what it is. As to the Fustic, what would keep it its natural color. Could you help?
Thanks,
Steve
There are two secrets to keeping one’s wife happy.
1. Let her think she’s having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Replies
Hi Steve,
Pardon the time in getting back to you. I'm not familiar with the product you mentioned, the color stabilizer. Do the retailers have a name? It's probably something very common. I'd be happy to do a little research though if you can get me a name or brand. Maybe you could throw it out in Knots to see if anyone is aware of it.
I would think the best bet for fustic would be in subdued light. Not always easy to do I know.
What are you making with it?
Peter
Peter,
Thanks for getting back. It's not like you're busy or anything! As to the color stabilizer, no one can tell me what it is. The supplier touts it just as I wrote it to you, but was really evasive when I asked specifically what it is. From what I've read, in purpleheart, the change in color is due to oxidation, but varying sources have said to use oil-based finishes to maintain color, others say oil-based hastens the color change. I believe light actually enhances the purple, and as soon as the sun comes back, I'll experiment with that.
What I hope to make with the fustic is a sofa table with bent laminations for the lower stretchers, and frosted glass for the top. I was going to use yellowheart, but a friend gave me a piece of fustic, my daughter saw it and flipped, and the rest is history. I appreciate any light you can throw on the subject.
SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Steve,
When someone is tight lipped it's usually one of two things; they just don't know or it's something so common you could find it somewhere else.
Now you've got my interest. Who was the supplier you were talking to?
Peter
Peter,
It was West Penn Hardwoods. I've always had good luck buying there, but all he could tell me was to use something that was a good UV inhibitor. All I've been able to find out so far is that UV seems to brighten the purple in purpleheart (this from a previous thread quite awhile back in Knots).
The LumberLady in Phoenix used to advertise an easy color stabilizer, but when I e-mailed for info, got no answer. A week or two later the site was gone. I have some really nice purpleheart, but don't want to use it until I have a way to maintain the color as that is the striking thing about it.
I appreciate your help.
SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Steve,
I'll start digging and see what I can turn over. There is a UV inhibitor sold at Kremer pigments in New York. It's an additive not just a coating. I should remember it verbatim but I'm having one of those moments.
Give me a day or two and I'll try to have something for you.
Peter
Peter,
I do appreciate your efforts.
SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Steve,
Here's what I found;
First off I couldn't find a simple to mix color stabilizer .
I did get you some specific info on a U.V. stabilizer that is basically an additive.
Tinuvan 900, soluble in benzol. 30 grams of powder to 100 grams solvent
Tinuvan 292 soluble in benzene same ratio as above.
Doesn't sound like fun does it?
All the info here by the way comes from Sinopia.com. They have bought Kremer Pigments in New York. Sinopia is in San Francisco.
The other advice was to try either of these products;
Golden MSA varnish. It's based on an acrylic resin and is soluble in Naptha and turpentine. It's used in conservation so it will be reversible. (Not the best thing for a table top)
The other company to check is Ronan, the same company that makes Japan paints. They have a whole line of U.V. resistant varnishes.
Sorry it's not a quick fix answer, but it was the best I could come up with right now. I'll keep my ears open for anything else.
Go to that website and get a new catalogue. It will really open your eyes to some of the raw materials at our disposal.
Good luck, let me know what you do.
Peter
Peter,
Thank you for your help. I know you went out of your way to help, and I'm grateful. I'll let you know what I come up with in a while.
Again, thanks
SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Steve,
Glad to help. That's why we're here.
Good luck.
Peter
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