: I bought some purpleheart wood to use as some accenting. is it possible to
: stabilize the purple color using epoxy/varnish or will it oxidize to the
: grey/brown color no matter what. Just want to know what will happen before
: I start. or is the purple color the oxidized color?

: we would love to be able to keep the purple color? I want to use it in
: contrast with some birch for a cockpit coaming. we also bought some walnut
: if the purpleheart will not work out. should look pretty cool if it does
: though. i plan on testing some pieces later this week.

: does it oxidize over a long or short period of time? days, weeks, months???
: will artificial light do this? or is it oxygen?

: any help or comments gladly accepted.

: Pete czerpak albany, NY

I have never used purpleheart in a large quantity, but, much like Cherry, when you cut or sand it, it loses some of it's color. The Cherry gets it's color through oxidation, and with normal finishes, it will still change color. However, with the epoxy and varnish, It should nolonger get the oxygen or UV either one. Tough call unless someone out there has already had experience with it.

Rehd