Finishing Padauk – So It Doesn’t Yellow Over Time
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Dan writes, “I have made a set of candle sticks from padauk. I love the orange-red natural color of this wood, but I understand that it will eventually turn brownish due to the UV. Is it possible to use a spar varnish or other product with UV inhibitors to retard or eliminate this process? What do you recommend? “
Padauk (intense orange) and purpleheart (deep purple) are lovely woods that unfortunately are photo sensitive and if not protected from ultraviolet light they will turn a brownish yellow. I have had the pleasure of working with some rough cut purple heart stock.
I built a set of picture frames for my wife. I finished them with a semi-gloss water based varnish. At the time I never even thought about the UV light and what effect it will have on the frames. I am not sure if this varnish has any ultraviolet inhibitors in it. The next time I work with purpleheart I will not use this varnish.
Here are a couple of finishing options to preserve the rich color of your wood.
1) Use a high quality spar varnish, one formulated for use on wooden boats.
2) Spar Varnish with Tung Oil
3) Tung oil. Look for a Tung oil that is intended for use on a boat. It will have UV protection mixed in.
4) Tung Oil Finish – 100% Tung oil is very thick and difficult to work with. In Tung Oil finish manufactures add a variety of solvents to make the Tung Oil flow easier. Read label and stay away from ones that add urethane to the Tung Oil as urethane will yellow over time.
Your best source for these finishes will be a marine or boat store. The local big box home improvement store in my area does not carry these products.
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