Whatever you use make sure it is sunlight resistant. Sunlight is what causes the browning. There is a lot of info on various woods at http://www.thewoodbox.com/data/databasemain.htm that may help.

They recommend a coat of Armorall to keep the browning to a minimum.

 

Tom(tas2181)

I have noticed with purple heart, that after you cut and sand it, if you leave it out in your shop or in the house, the color seems to come back.  Then if you use a poly that will work as a sunblock, that may to the trick.

 

Al

i haven't tried this yet, but a fella at one of my local woodworking stores recommends the following for turned pen blanks of (brown) purpleheart after sanding and before finishing.

 

prepare a mixture of white vinegar and steel wool in a small bowl. suspend the pen blanks over the bowl and cover. the vinegar and steel wool mixture (which some people use to ebonize wood) will cause the oxidation in the purpleheart, returning the purple colour. this process must be monitored because too much time will cause full ebonization and black purpleheart will be the result.

 

i imagine this can be used for all sizes of purpleheart (given the proper area to prep the solution, etc. haven't tried it myself, thought i would pass it along.

 

d.

 

 

Watco sell a Teak oil that has an ingredient that blocks out UV rays.

I hate to tell you this but eventually no matter what you use on it it will turn brown.