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I am looking for a solution to prevent purpleheart, and paduk from oxidizing over time to much darker colors than when originally machined. I have turnings of purpleheart that now look almost muddy brown, and pauduk that has turned VERY deep red (almost black). These were finished with polyurethane varnish.
Is there a finish that will do better at retaining the vibrant colors that these two species of wood look like when freshly cut?
Thanks for any advice in advance.
Replies
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Let the Purpleheart sit in the sun until it achieves a nice, bright purple color. Then finish it with lacquer. A varnish will not prevent the colors from going off. Lacquer does not completely stop the process, but slows it down.
*In my years of finish items for the marine trade, the only thing that will prevent wood colors from changing is to keep it in the dark. All natural light, either direct or reflected, contains UV. Even in the dark, oxygen will cause oxidation changing the wood color.Clear finishes that contain UV inhibitors will slow the effects of UV but will not stop it. Marine spar varnishes contain UV inhibitors, but varnish and the UV inhibitors are quite yellow and will cause a change in color by themselves. I am not aware of any lacquer that contains UV inhibitors or will in another way reduce or slow color change.
*Well, I hate like hell to disappoint you but Purpleheart's color get's better the more it's exposed to light. It's a well-known fact that lacquer retards the color loss of Purpleheart.I am constantly disappointed by the bad advice peddled on these forums.
*And I am consistantly disappointed by responders who do not read the question. Here was the question: "I am looking for a solution to prevent purpleheart, and paduk from oxidizing over time to much darker colors than when originally machined."While you are correct that many like purpleheart with an aged look, that was not the question therefore I was merely trying to give him a responsive answer.And, I said the same thing to whit: "I am not aware of any lacquer that contains UV inhibitors or will in another way reduce or slow color change."Jeez..........
*Howard, you still don't have a clue do you? Mike, lacquer will help you hold the color of Purpleheart longer. When it fades, let it sit in the sun and it will brighten up for you - even through the lacquer.I rarely work in Paduak so I'll leave that one to somebody else.MIKE, TRUST ME ON THE PURPLEHEART QUESTION.
*Mike-Here are a couple Wood Web links that may help you:UV resistant non-yellowing finishUV inhibitive topcoatsAn acrylic lacquer will help preseve the color over nitrocellulose, but i don't know of anything short of sanding that will bring the color back once it's turned. Some of my customers have told me Armor-All (car-care product) works to retard the darkening process since it's made to protect surfaces on cars from the sun's damaging effects, but i can't vouch for it. I tell my customers if they like the color not to put it in the window...
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