I like to work with purpleheart. With care and the right tools (to avoid burning), one can get dramatic contrasts and spectacular pieces. I'm always in a hurry though. I want to complete the piece, sand it out, and slap on some finish. The problem is, for those not familiar with this species of wood, purpleheart when freshly cut is a medium brown - a lot like mahogany, and only over time develops a deep, rich purple color. How can I speed this process up? I made a terrible mistake when I first started working with it. I had carved a really nice rose bud, and in the final polishing step, I used an abrasive mixed with wax. *sigh* I suppose by now air may have penetrated and changed the color. How can I speed up the change? Fuming?
purpleheart - speed up coloring?
Jul 20, 2005
5 Replies
Not sure what chemical process is at work here oxidizing, photosynthisis, some sort of acidic reaction.
Things to try: Yes, fuming Lye Sunlight Baking soda\water wash
Try a hair dryer on a scrap piece.
Sunlight.
No-One wrote in news:wACDe.118$U% snipped-for-privacy@fe05.lga:
Well...I just got some in. Got a good deal on overstock and obsolete.
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