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
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Not sure what chemical process is at work here oxidizing, photosynthisis, some sort of acidic reaction. Things to try: Yes, fuming Lye Sunlight Baking sodawater wash
Read the full replyInformation here may be outdated?
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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