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?

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

"Dan Major" wrote in message
.6...
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.

In article , 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?

Sunlight.


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

Get a copy of my NEW AND IMPROVED TrollFilter for NewsProxy/Nfilter
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You must use your REAL email address to get a response.

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?

No-One wrote in :

I agree with sunlight .... JJS

Well...I just got some in. Got a good deal on overstock and obsolete.