I’ve just done repairs to a few chairs which I believe are Rosewood. As soon as the original wood of the chair is touched by sandpaper, chisle, ect. (Extremmely sharp chisle and hand sand paper). The wood turns dark purple to black instantly, yet the new Rosewood I’m using for the repairs does not. Has anyone else expirienced this or has an explaination?
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Replies
It's the resins (or wax) in the Rosewood. It slowly darkens with exposure to air or UV light (not sure which). Look at all the old Stanley plane handles. After 50 years they will be almost black, inside and out. Some say that Tung Oil will hasten the process.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
I agree,I've seen furniture built with Rosewood and they are dark in color, but these chairs are not. It's understandable that the air or light cannot get at the wood becuase of the finish that is on them so that would impede color change, but other furniture have a finish also and still allows the wood to darken with age ( or lighten in Walnut's case ). These chairs are a light Tan in color but as soon as the finish is scrapped away that spot is black.
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