I'm looking for information on using UV light to obtain the natural color change in fresh, pale cherry burl. Would the lights for UV curing finishes be strong enough to efficiently eliminate the pale look? Maybe 20-30 minutes vs hours. The idea is to turn the burl pens to the pre-finish stage, change the color, and then apply the finish. No stains, dyes, or water borne chemicals involved.
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Accelerating cherry wood's color change
- Thread starter Terry Brown
- Start date
Have you tried baking soda in water? It’s about as safe as it gets and since water will raise the grain, a plus for sanding.
There is a really big UV light that comes up every day. Why the big hurry? Besides, the cherry ages in color even with a clear coat on top.
Like Richard said, I would find a south facing window and sit it there. In mid summer, if you leave a business card on a piece of cherry for an hour and come back and pick it up, it will have sun burned.
robo hippy
robo hippy
Perhaps some useful reading:
Some recommend using a UV lamp. I have a powerful UV bulbs made for sterilizing thing I'd try first. (caution, can damage eyes)
Potassium dichromate is sometimes used to darken the tannins in wood.
One person recommended using lye in water.
I think I'd do tests on scrap before committing to a method.
JKJ
Some recommend using a UV lamp. I have a powerful UV bulbs made for sterilizing thing I'd try first. (caution, can damage eyes)
Potassium dichromate is sometimes used to darken the tannins in wood.
One person recommended using lye in water.
I think I'd do tests on scrap before committing to a method.
JKJ
I've heard that using oven cleaner will help darken cherry. You could google that for ideas. The lye is what does the darkening. Used in restoration work to make new wood like like old.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
There is a formula out there to age cherry. Been top many years since I did it. I'm sure you could find it doing a search