Purple Heart

Status
Not open for further replies.
Phil705

Phil705

Basic Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
364
I'm trying to bring back the purple in some stabilized purple heart wood scales. After sanding much of the purple tone disappeared or washed out. I noticed that when I was using the belt grinder with some 60 grit on the scales, the color re-appeared in spots, possibly from heat due to friction.I was unable to replicate that consistently.

Any suggestions on bringing out the purple?

Phil705
Winthrop,WA
 
I was on a woodworking forum looking for info on another brightly colored tropical hardwood, Padauk, and people recommend Armor All as a pre treatment in order to keep the UV from browning it out.
Haven't tried it on Purpleheart yet, but so far so good on the Padauk at about 3 months, with a carnauba blend wax finish.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...ADbc/tWSqqN87QOw/s571/2012-05-11+11.44.16.jpg

Not so great with the photo, but the bottom line is that the color is holding steady.
 
Hey just did a handle on a knife with this wood. For me the purple seem to come back over night after polishing it up. I think it is an oxidization reaction with air so only the surface will turn purple. I finished it with tru oil when it was brown (after belt sanding on a 30x1) and it still turned purple overnight. I would just get an even finish and let it sit overnight. It should turn purple in a day or so. For me it was one night.

Tur oil also darkens the purple... not sure if that is what you would want.
 
I acctualy just turned a fly reel seat insert out of some not to long ago and just like ken said, it seemed to come out back out over night.

Roby
 
The purple is oxidation of the natural resins in the wood. After a while it will brown out typically 5 to 10 years. I seal my purple heart handles with Johnson's paste wax, Paduak I seal with UV blOcking spar varnish

-Page
 
I am thinking although have not tried...
Sand let sit till the color you want appears and seal with Superglue. Couple coats till it stops absorbing, dry for a day or two and sand then buff lightly. Superglue gives a great finish if given time to properly Cure!
 
I have seen the comments on using Superglue before. Would like more info, - will it work on oily wood like Teak? Does it have UV protection or can something be added to give UV protection. How do you apply it, with a brush? Any other info would be appreciated.
 
Ive coated with some super glue before and its real smelly stuff. Do it where its really well ventilated but stuff wont fly into your coating. How when I finished mine I just kinda applied it on a hanging knife from top to bottom so gravity gives me a hand using the tip of the tube to apply and move it around. It seems thin enough to where it lays flat after application. You probably would want to build up a few coats before finishing because after 2-3 coats some uneven spots can form depending how you hang it when its drying (yes it takes time and its not instant in large quantities like this). Then you can sand up to what ever grit size you want. Though to get it clear again is a pretty high grit. (1-2kish?)

Using a brush means you would sacrifice it which is not too big of a deal but you may have to pick out hairs if it is cheapo brush.

Dont use dollar store super glue ive found in the ones i have tried it is watered down and takes forever to dry. also it dries with a white hue instead of clear =(.......


Lastly IT IS REALLY SMELLY STUFF. sand in a well ventilated area. I also think super glue has cyanide in it..... tho it is supposedly safe =) i use it to close cuts all the time.
 
Sorry to resurect a 6 month old thread, but had a Bob Ross style "Happy little accident" with purpleheart the other night.

I took a handle to the Craftsman 2"x42" with a well used 1000 grit belt and the purple color reappeared quickly and vividly.
The color was more even than the purpleheart that is allowed to regain color naturally.

~Smitty
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top