DM

Dan Major

20/07/2005 6:45 PM

purpleheart - speed up coloring?

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?


This topic has 5 replies

Sb

"SonomaProducts.com"

in reply to Dan Major on 20/07/2005 6:45 PM

20/07/2005 11:55 AM

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

DM

Dan Major

in reply to Dan Major on 20/07/2005 6:45 PM

21/07/2005 2:44 AM

No-One <[email protected]> wrote in news:wACDe.118$U%[email protected]:

> I agree with sunlight .... JJS
>
Well...I just got some in. Got a good deal on overstock and obsolete.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Dan Major on 20/07/2005 6:45 PM

20/07/2005 9:22 PM


"Dan Major" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>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?

Try a hair dryer on a scrap piece.

sD

[email protected] (Doug Miller)

in reply to Dan Major on 20/07/2005 6:45 PM

20/07/2005 11:14 PM

In article <[email protected]>, Dan Major <[email protected]> wrote:
>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?

Sunlight.


--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

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You must use your REAL email address to get a response.

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No-One

in reply to Dan Major on 20/07/2005 6:45 PM

20/07/2005 6:08 PM

I agree with sunlight .... JJS

Dan Major wrote:
> 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?


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