daveq Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 If anyone here has experience working with Purple Heart, could you tell me how to preserve the purple color after cutting (if possible). I know it will change to a blue/brown over time if not protected but I'm talking about short-term. I noticed when I ran it through the jointer (6 out of 10 speed) it turned brownish red. Is that the best I can hope for or is there a way to keep the bright purple color when cutting this wood? Please remember, I'm NOT talking about what happens to it over time when unprotected - I'm just talking about cutting it and how it changes color during the process. Thanks, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazyderek Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 i think sanding it down (120-220 grit) after any cutting or planning is required to get that perfect purple colour, is that what ur talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveq Posted September 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 I tried that, and it didn't seem to make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moojiefulagin Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 It might have to do with the piece you are using. Purple Heart frequently has subtle irregularities that can affect the color. I've never had a problem with it. Also, you might want to try a light stain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazyderek Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 somebody on here i beleive put a purple heart top on a guitar, it look absolutely beautiful, we need to get ahold of that guy find out what he did, cause it looked perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveq Posted September 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 I noticed something interesting - The pieces that I cut all seem to turn brownish everywhere except where the blade came to rest on it (table saw). Normally, this would burn most wood but it seems as though it has a polishing affect on the purple heart. Maybe I can use a buffing wheel to polish it to a nice bright purple when I'm done? I don't think it's the piece of wood I bought since it was bright purple on each side from the lumber store. There must be something about the way I'm cutting it. The jointer, bandsaw and table saw all make it turn brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazyderek Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 lol i just cut out a neck on my board for a neck thru, the entire back of the "neck" is black from the table saw now that i think about it... when ever i ran it through the jointer it turned from the nice purple to light brown too, i think that's the raw colour, and it just takes a couple days/a week or 2 to get that nice purple (once all the burn marks from a blade have been sanded away) i think it's just part of the wood's oxidation cycle, then if u let the wood continue to oxidize it loses the purple and turns more and more brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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