Finishuiing Purpleheart

The problem with purpleheart is that, over time and with exposure to UV light, it will go from purple to a dark, not-very-attractive brown. Every now and then I've heard reports of purpleheart which kept its color but I've never seen an example.

Any oil, even Tung oil is going to darken it even more and I'd suggest against it.

The idea of using Armorall is precipitated by the fact that it contains a UV inhibitor. I've tried it but really can't say if it works or not.

I'd use a surface finish -- spray deft comes to mind. And, I think I'd try the Armorall under it. Since it is water based, though, it may raise the grain.

Between purpleheart's brittleness and failure to hold color, it is my last choice of woods for just about anything except tool handles -- it makes dandy tool handles because of its density.

Bill

Dorothy and Richard Shels> Hi all:

I guess that's in the eye of the beholder - The brown purpleheart I have got is a perfectly attractive brown, not unlike black walnut (though a lot harder to work with). The only thing "wrong" with it is that if one was really set on it being purple, well, it's not, anymore. But it's not ugly, in my opinion.

It's not a particularly oily wood (hard, abrasive, brittle, but not oily), any usual finish should work.

If you keep the chess set out of the sun, the purple should last longer.

I don't use anything on Purple heart, except wax. Kept away for sunlight helps it retain it's color

My wife has a heart shaped box made from purpleheart - has had it for more than 15 years - I have some inkling some unlucky suitor may have given it to her. Anyway, it's not a Crayola purple (if it ever was) but does have a distinct purple tone to the brown. Not unattractive at all.

I made a pen from purpleheart for my sister in law. Before turning, the blank was a nice shade of purple. After finishing with a couple coats of Tung Oil, then friction polish and carnauba wax, the pen turned a shade of brown. After a couple of weeks, the pen turned back to a nice shade of purple. She's been using it for a couple months now and it still is purple.

Like others have said, it will turn to brown after UV exposure, so using a UV inhibitor will help delay that process. Since your chessmen probably won't be in direct sunlight much, this process will be slow, and any UV protection you apply might just prevent it.

Read these for some info on purpleheart:

I think it's time to talk to Norm about a nice purpleheart stain....

Don't fear purpleheart. I have turned piles of it into pens, bowls, goblets, boxes and so on and if it is kept out of the sun and fluorescent lightit will maintain its purple color for years and years. I have a purpleheart bowl that I turned 5 years ago that I eat my cereal out of every day that is as purple as Welch's grape juice. My wife has a purpleheart pen that is one of the first things I ever turned that is still a beautiful shade of purple. It's a very dense wood, and pretty much any finish is suitable for it. I am currently fond of carnauba wax over sanding sealer cut with turpentine. I've used poly, danish oil, and even spar varnish.

Hello again:

Thanks for all your help. I finally decided to sand it down and use EEE polishing cream, then wipe on Armorall and finish with a Shellawax Cream Wax. Right now the only one I have done looks beautiful. Only 15 more to go in Purpleheart and then on to Maple for the rest!

Richard

D&R:

I too have heard the stories of purpleheart staying purple. I think every wood from South America has several different types of the species, and this probably is no exception. I have actually seen purpleheart go to a dark, brownish purple over a period of years when left outside (small piece on the burn pile). It was beautiful.

OTOH, I have friends that have used it, kept it out of direct light, don't have the work directly under a lamp, and used UV resistant exterior urethane on their interior piece. It turned a beautiful dark brown, but with no character at all since the wood was without defects. So it was stunning in purple, and just pretty in brown.

I think "you pays your money and takes your chances" with this wood. I know from our local exotic lumber supplier that half the time he is selling something that comes from South America he doesn't know exactly where it came from, if the wood came from the same stand, forest, or country. It is the same with all exotics, since down there these are also know as firewood to many of the indigenous people.

That being said, I used laquer thinned by 1/3 and a spot of BLO in it to finish all the purpleheart beads and pendants for my niece's Christmas presents. Turned out great and finished easily.

Good luck!

Robert

I've measured the density of several pieces of purpleheart from a single shipment and, although I don't remember the actual numbers, I found major differences from one piece to another. I also suspect that the boards came from different species of trees but differing growing conditions could also account for the differences in density.

One of the major uses of purpleheart in South America -- truck beds. It is dirt cheap and almost indestructible. It is sometimes used for that purpose in this country also.

There is no question in my mind that at the logger and saw mill level, if it looks like 'x' we'll sell it as 'x' and don't sweat the details. Even if the mill wants to do better, there are no leaves when they see the log so one of the major methods of distinguishing species is no longer available.

Bill

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