purpleheart

Dave38

Dave38

theemperorhasnoclotheson
Silver Member
I have a simple question about purpleheart, will it still turn to it's true color after it's been sealed and finished, or does it only do it if left unsealed and hanging? Also, is there a way to speed it up? I am building an ebony and PH break cue for my personal use and was going to seal the butt tonite until I put the shaft next to it(PH also) and realized that the butt is still very much on the brown side compared to the shaft.Is a warmer enviroment better for the color change or does it matter? Thanks,
Dave
 
from what i understand of Purpleheart it will get darker with exposure,not more purple.i think exposure to air will make it darker.some Purpleheart is just brown or has brown streaks in it.could even be sapwood as the sapwood is brown.from what i understand after you sand it or cur it,it is as purple as it will get.sealing it will keep it that color,but leaving it exposed will not turn brwon Purpleheart purple.

on the positive side,the sealer and finsih will often times turn the brownish parts more purple than they were unfinished.

my advice which is probably worth as much as most free advice is to seal it and finish immediately after final sanding and hope the finish makes it a little more colorful.
 
Usually, the shafts and pieces that I have cut, are brownish right after a cut, then after setting for a couple weeks, turn a fairly bright purple. On this cue it did that also but the last cut was 2 weeks ago, and it hasn't turned to the same purple it was earlier. Is there only so much purple 'in' it? I'll try to post a pic when I get home from work. Thanks for the response guys
Dave
 
I've wondered the same thing Dave. The photo below was taken within a couple of house of cutting. It is now a week later and those points are now extremely bright. They were not sealed though. Maybe cut a piece off and seal it up and see if it changes for you.

01-27-08-002.jpg
 
P.H. is definately on the list of woods that make you say, I will never work with this stuff again, until the next time you want to build one.:D
 
Dave38 said:
I have a simple question about purpleheart, will it still turn to it's true color after it's been sealed and finished, or does it only do it if left unsealed and hanging? Also, is there a way to speed it up? I am building an ebony and PH break cue for my personal use and was going to seal the butt tonite until I put the shaft next to it(PH also) and realized that the butt is still very much on the brown side compared to the shaft.Is a warmer enviroment better for the color change or does it matter? Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...
If you put it under a florescent light and I mean almost right up against it, a few inches away it will turn very purple in just a few hours and seems to stay that way. You have to keep rotating the cue so you get it evenly done.
 
macguy said:
If you put it under a florescent light and I mean almost right up against it, a few inches away it will turn very purple in just a few hours and seems to stay that way. You have to keep rotating the cue so you get it evenly done.
Click to expand...

You can even lay it in a bright window for a day or 2, turning it often. Some have even experimented with heat...as in putting it in an oven.;)
 
One of the quickest way to turn a "brown" purpleheart back to a deep purple is to put it in an oven and bake it at 450 degrees for about 10-15 minutes. I got this idea from BHQ and I've tried it a couple of times. However, I don't know if there are any long term effects on the wood itself.
 
hardknox222 said:
One of the quickest way to turn a "brown" purpleheart back to a deep purple is to put it in an oven and bake it at 450 degrees for about 10-15 minutes. I got this idea from BHQ and I've tried it a couple of times. However, I don't know if there are any long term effects on the wood itself.
Click to expand...
that only works before the cue is assembled :rolleyes: :D
i have just held a rag on ph spinning it as fast as i can
the heat generated also turns it darker
and seal with epoxy immediately

 
Last edited:
Varney Cues said:
You can even lay it in a bright window for a day or 2, turning it often. Some have even experimented with heat...as in putting it in an oven.;)
Click to expand...
Bright window turns it brown.
 
Varney Cues said:
You can even lay it in a bright window for a day or 2, turning it often. Some have even experimented with heat...as in putting it in an oven.;)
Click to expand...
I tried it with hair dryer. :D
 
BHQ said:
that only works before the cue is assembled :rolleyes: :D
i have just held a rag on ph spinning it as fast as i can
the heat generated also turns it darker
and seal with epoxy immediately
Click to expand...

Good idea. I'll try that too. :cool:
 
macguy said:
If you put it under a florescent light and I mean almost right up against it, a few inches away it will turn very purple in just a few hours and seems to stay that way. You have to keep rotating the cue so you get it evenly done.
Click to expand...
This I can try tonite. Thanks for that tip.
The oven trick I remember BHQ doing with rings, etc., but a completed cue, even if I could fit it in the oven, I think would cause a few undesirable effects, especially around supper time:D
Dave
 
i agree with Rocket.i am not claiming to be an expert on Purpleheart,but i have studied it.if you put it in a window,it will turn darker brown.i would not advise doing that.i am not sure about the flourescent light,but i would be careful trying it as i would think it would do the same.
 
I have some small squares cut for point wood that I cut months ago, I've just checked them and they are the great bright purple now. They've been just sitting in a box under my bench. Things that make you go hummmm.....
Dave
 
Dave38 said:
This I can try tonite. Thanks for that tip.
The oven trick I remember BHQ doing with rings, etc., but a completed cue, even if I could fit it in the oven, I think would cause a few undesirable effects, especially around supper time:D
Dave
Click to expand...
might come in handy if you ever want to UNASSEMBLE a cue, once the epoxy breaks down. LOL :D
 
Dave38 said:
I have some small squares cut for point wood that I cut months ago, I've just checked them and they are the great bright purple now. They've been just sitting in a box under my bench. Things that make you go hummmm.....
Dave
Click to expand...
Two words.
Mouse piss.:eek:
 
masonh said:
i agree with Rocket.i am not claiming to be an expert on Purpleheart,but i have studied it.if you put it in a window,it will turn darker brown.i would not advise doing that.i am not sure about the flourescent light,but i would be careful trying it as i would think it would do the same.
Click to expand...

Well you are free to do it however you'd like. All I know is that I've taken a freshly turned piece that was brown & layed it in the window...a day later its deep purple. I've seen it more than once so its not like its a fluke.
I'll use what works for me.;)
 
Dave38 said:
This I can try tonite. Thanks for that tip.
The oven trick I remember BHQ doing with rings, etc., but a completed cue, even if I could fit it in the oven, I think would cause a few undesirable effects, especially around supper time:D
Dave
Click to expand...
one more final tip for you dave
i cook my purpleheart the sametime my spousal unit has a meatloaf in the oven
adds a nice flavor to the meatloaf (trust me, it can't hurt her meatloaf) :eek:
i'll prolly keep doing that, until,
someone tells me my cue hits like a meatloaf :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top