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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2005 » Archive through June 03, 2005 » 2003 Archive » Archive through January 24, 2003 » Tung oil on purpleheart- bad idea? (will it brown up) « Previous Next »

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Googe Endeveronte (goooge)
Junior
Username: goooge

Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 4:37 am:   Edit Post

i have asked 5 woodworkers and rec'd 3 votes bad idea (it will brown up in about 5 years or so) and the other 2 said it will be fine

I am making a keepsake box for my daughter-and I am a newbie at these things.
i like the "warm" look of an oil finish-but I am concerned this will brown up- anybody know? sorry for the complete "non-guitar" topic but it sort of ties in with guitar (finishing and woods)
many thanks in advance.
Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
Junior
Username: elzie

Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 1:00 pm:   Edit Post

I don't know about purple heart, but years ago I stripped my Fender bass and refinished it with tung oil. It has been more than 5 years and both the finish and the wood are still the same. No fading, browning or color change of any sort.

Hope this helps!

Paul
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 332
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 4:23 pm:   Edit Post

Exposure to light will brown out purpleheart to some degree even under a polyester finish. I wouldn't worry about it. Even if it does fade to brown, it will be a purplish-brown that you can restore to violet with a light sanding and a fresh coat.

If you're going to oil, I suggest using a polymerized tung oil. Tung oil alone doesn't really fully cure and may get a little "gummy."
Googe Endeveronte (goooge)
Junior
Username: goooge

Post Number: 29
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 8:22 pm:   Edit Post

thanks paul and mica-I have been reading up on how some companies are branding products as "tung oil", but in fact they are actually "wiping varnishes" and such-so much to learn

I like the look of Stoney's brown bass-is that a polymerized tung oil??-Mica any suggested brands?

thanks!
Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 56
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 12:42 am:   Edit Post

Hi Googe,

I'm not a woodworker but working around the house with woods I see that "light" is the reason for the changing of the colour. For outside work on woods there exist products (varnishes) with a kind of UV-filtering characteristics. F.i. we have a brand called here in Belgium "Tri -metal" (I forgot the type) that is used on boats. Not what you call a instrument but hey ... I'm just trying to help (I'm not even a boat-builder).
My bass also changed colour yet comparing the state I received it 6 years ago. Well ... I've changed too so ... aging and his consequences is something I accept for evrything..
CU

Paul

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