May 18, 201214 yr So, I'm making a fancy pen for my wife, and she has requested purpleheart as the wood (since I have some lying around already). However, since purpleheart loses it's purple luster in exposure to UV, I'd like to finish it in a way that will protect the pen against fading.What finishes would you recommend for this?
May 18, 201214 yr Pens usually don't deal with too much UV exposure as they typically live in a pocket, purse or briefcase and are used in mostly indoor settings. I have never heard of any finishing product or technique over the years that I was making pens to deal with UV. Personally I would finish it like any other wooden pen using the CA glue/BLO method.If you have never been to the "International Association of Penturners"Â forums, I would suggest that you check them out as they are the #1 place on the web for pen turning. They are a free site and have a lot of great folks over there. If there is something out there for finishing a pen to protect it from UV, then they would be able to tell you.http://www.penturners.orgAllen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee
May 18, 201214 yr When I saw your heading UV-resistant finish I immediately thought of Sikkins. Then I opened the thread and saw it was for a turned pen....not a deck! Don't think Sikkins would be a good choice, but hey, one never knows? Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
May 18, 201214 yr That's good to hear.My wife has a purpleheart pendant, that when I first saw it, I thought it was black walnut or something, but it's true that a pendant would be out and exposed more often than a pen.I must admit, that I don't relish having to purchase another finish at the moment, so I may just go with CA.
June 1, 201214 yr Black lacquer is the only thing I know that will do that.To stop the photosensitive reaction you have keep the wood out of the sun.I'm pretty sure that all the UV resistant clear finished are only UV resistant as to themselves. Plenty of light wil pass through to the substrate.
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