A question for those with experience working with padauk, if I could. This wood has a very bright orange color when freshly milled, but turns brown on exposure to sunlight (or air?). Is there any way to handle this wood in order that it retains its bright colors? I have not worked with it before, but recently came into some, and might like to work with it.
If one decides to let it color itself, do things like floating panels, in winter, show the bright orange edge upon shrinking? Or the top and side edges of drawers rarely opened? Do people take their wood, cut to size, and “suntan” it before use?
Alan
Alan
www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
Replies
I have tried every type of UV blocking finish, and some slow down the color change but none eliminates it. After a couple of years, it's on its way to brown, and the more sunlight the faster it happens.
Alan,
I worked in Padauk exclusively for around 8 months a while back. You can check the gallery for a few examples. I'll give you a few example of my experiences with Padauk. I returned to a clients home the other day to see a table I made in Padauk around 4 years ago. It's darkened quite a bit. In comparison I made some chairs about 2 years ago, one of which was on display in a store window during summer, and their considerably darker then the table. I also made one of these chairs for myself and recently compared it to my clients set and it's at least two shades darker. His chairs are in a fairly dark room with no direct sunlight.
Another example is a table I made with a lacquered top and tung oil finish on the base. The base darkened quite a bit faster then the top and the two never did really balance out. So from my experience I would have to say there is no way to stop the color change all you can do is slow is with a film finish and keep it out of direct sunlight.
As to you questions about drawer parts I would have to say they would definitely be a difference in color. I always tell my customer to bring the table leaves out of the closet and expose them to some light more often than the once a year their used. I can't comment on the raised panels since I rarely make them and never have in Padauk. To be honest I kind of like the darker brown color.
Cheers.
A lot of colored woods are like that. You just have to enjoy it while it lasts, like food or live music.
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