/ Register

How do you keep Purple heart Purple?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Rob17, Sep 4, 2010.


  1. Sep 4, 2010 #1
    Rob17

    Rob17 Inactive

    Aug 28, 2009
    Holland
    I'm sure it's been talked about many times on this forum, but I just couldn't find anything about a purple heart fingerboard, which I'm planning on doing, and how to keep it purple.
    :confused:
     
  5. Sep 4, 2010 #2
    TomA1234

    TomA1234

    Jul 27, 2009
    Fareham, England
    I've read somewhere that UV light destroys the pigment in the wood so a UV protective varnish etc. is probably a good start.
     
  9. Sep 4, 2010 #3
    Rob17

    Rob17 Inactive

    Aug 28, 2009
    Holland
    Thanks Tom.

    Not sure if you can use varnish on a fingerboard.
    Epoxy is the word I often see when it comes to fingerboards.
    I have to dig deeper into the fingerboard building first, I think .
     
  13. Sep 4, 2010 #4
    renniw

    renniw

    Nov 30, 2004
    Lévis (Québec)
    On one of my builds, a few coats of oil varnish and it did the job. (or not)

    Edit : Will try to find the can to see if some UV protector is in there...
     
  18. Sep 4, 2010 #5
    Ruckus_Instrmts

    Ruckus_Instrmts

    Jan 5, 2010
    NEO
    Uv inhibitors don't last forever. Purpleheart will eventually turn brown. It may take 5 years(in a sunny room) or it may take 500 years(in a cave). Plan your color scheme for the future, if you expect your bass to last/live that long.
     
  22. Sep 4, 2010 #6
    Rob17

    Rob17 Inactive

    Aug 28, 2009
    Holland
    :) Thanks, for the advise, varnish it''ll be. :D
    Today I made 2 fingerboard blanks from yellowheard, I think I'll do the same to them.
    Yellowheardfingerboardblanks003.jpg
    Yellowheardfingerboardblanks003.jpg
    Yellowheardfingerboardblanks005.jpg
    I think those will make some nice FB's. :p
     
  26. Sep 6, 2010 #7
    renniw

    renniw

    Nov 30, 2004
    Lévis (Québec)
    This gentlemen is right. I just saw the guitar this afternoon and it took 2 years for the fingerboard to turn brown :eek:... I guess my varnish didn't have the UV thing in it...:crying:
     

Share This Page