I’ve read conflicting accounts of how purple heart matures in terms of it’s trademark color. Some have said UV turns the purple to brown, others say exposure to atmosphere turns it brown, and someone else said browned out purple heart returns to original color in the presence of UV! Another fellow suggested mixing Armorall (the car care product) into shellac to provide UV protection for the wood. Obviously, there is conflicting information here.
Does anyone know what actually happens to purple heart to change its color? Also, how do you finish purple heart to accentuate and preserve the color. For reference, I’m trying to finish a chessboard I made from purple heart and yellow heart.
Thanks!
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I'm no expert, but I have made things with purpleheart. When it's first cut or sanded, it turns brownish. A few hours later -- or less -- it returns to its purple state. I've used aerosol lacquer on small things with purpleheart accents, along with red heart and yellow heart, and found the color to hold fairly well even after several years indoors. A laminated pepper grinder with 1/2 inch pieces of purpleheart (with maple) stil looks good after about five years. Go for it.
Hmm, this morning I was sanding the board...I was hoping to see more purple, but only saw more brown...this corroborates your post. I'll have to see what it looks like in the morning.Do you know how tung oil would affect it? I've used tung oil before, but on walnut.Thanks!
I've only used film-forming finishes like lacquer or poly on purpleheart and suspect that has something to do with keeping its color. Tung oil might work, but it takes sooo long to cure. Do a test on several pieces and finishes and see what happens.
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