Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 18, 2002, 04:37:48 AM

Title: Tung oil on purpleheart- bad idea? (will it brown up)
Post by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 18, 2002, 04:37:48 AM

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.

Title: Tung oil on purpleheart- bad idea? (will it brown up)
Post by: Paul Ellsworth (elzie) on October 18, 2002, 01:00:44 PM

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

Title: Tung oil on purpleheart- bad idea? (will it brown up)
Post by: mica on October 18, 2002, 04:23:29 PM

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.  

Title: Tung oil on purpleheart- bad idea? (will it brown up)
Post by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 19, 2002, 08:22:54 PM

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!

Title: Tung oil on purpleheart- bad idea? (will it brown up)
Post by: Paul Lindemans (palembic) on October 21, 2002, 12:42:23 AM

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