Padouk and UV

[philipc]

As is well known, Padouk turns from bright red/orange to dark brown/maroon when exposed to UV light.  This process can be slowed, but not halted, with a UV shielding finish.  Because the change seems, from what I can ascertain, to happen in a matter of months rather than years, I'd like to slow it down if I can.  However, I really want to keep the raw feel to the finish.  There's not much point in buying a beautiful, exotic hardwood guitar neck if you're just going to slather it in lacquer like some fossilised dragonfly in amber!

So, it's quite a simple question, though it may not have a simple answer: Can Padouk be shielded from UV without losing the raw feel to the finish?  In other words: Is there a simple oil finish for Padouk that will also shield it from UV somewhat.

We don't get a lot of sunlight here in England and I know that trying to stop the change completely is a pointless battle but if I can elongate the transition without losing the raw feel of the wood, that'd be wonderful.

All comments and suggestions welcome!

 

[line6man]

Because the change seems, from what I can ascertain, to happen in a matter of months rather than years, I'd like to slow it down if I can.

I've had a Padauk neck for nearly three years now, and it's still bright red.

 

[philipc]

Ah interesting, thanks. What kind of finish has it got?

 

[line6man]

Ah interesting, thanks. What kind of finish has it got?

No finish. Just some Howard Feed N' Wax. Once when I got it, again about a year ago.

 

[philipc]

I read somewhere else about someone's padouk guitar going brown in just a year or so. Maybe they were leaving it out in the sun all day or something!

 

[hannaugh]

I have a padouk box that my husband made for me about 3 years ago.  No finish at all, still as red as the day he built it. 

 

[line6man]

I have a padouk box that my husband made for me about 3 years ago.  No finish at all, still as red as the day he built it.

Post some pictures! You know how I love things made out of Padauk. :blob7:

FWIW, I left some scrap Padauk in a windowsill for a month, once. It went totally brown.

 

[mgaut051]

Post some pictures! You know how I love things made out of Padauk. :blob7:

Ok

Made this xmas stocking holder for my wife out of cherry with padouk and walnut inserts.
Tung oil.

Better pics on my wiki eventually.

The padouk did not take so well to the tung oil... Must be the wax. It entirely chose to reject my reality.

I also have this neck:

When this pic is taken, it's about 10 years old, never been finished, in and (mostly) out of cases. You can see the faint transition where it was mounted to the body for 7 years or something. Still red though.

And then there's Gordita, finished with wipe-on poly. Still red, but only a year old.

 

[line6man]

Post some pictures! You know how I love things made out of Padauk. :blob7:

Ok

Made this xmas stocking holder for my wife out of cherry with padouk and walnut inserts.
Tung oil.

Better pics on my wiki eventually.

The padouk did not take so well to the tung oil... Must be the wax. It entirely chose to reject my reality.

I also have this neck:

When this pic is taken, it's about 10 years old, never been finished, in and (mostly) out of cases. You can see the faint transition where it was mounted to the body for 7 years or something. Still red though.

And then there's Gordita, finished with wipe-on poly. Still red, but only a year old.

Very cool.
While we're showin' stuff, here's my Padauk bowl, when it was new and vibrant. Unfortunately, the wood was wet, so it looks like crap now. :sad: In any case, I had my fun turning it, and I can always make another someday.

Then I've got my Padauk pickups. (Though I did not make them myself. I did make the thumbrest, however.)

And of course, my Warmoth neck.

 

[mgaut051]

Then I've got my Padauk pickups. (Though I did not make them myself. I did make the thumbrest, however.)

FLOYD!
COWBELL!
WANT!​

Sorry... That just kinda came out. That's some nice wood you got there. I've been jonesing for some Reed James' for quite some time now. Too bad I'm broke.

 

[Danuda]

If you keep it out of the sun it holds the red pretty well.  When you cut it it can be a bright orange.  Then it goes red.  The guitar I built out of padouk has been in the sun (by windows, outside, ect)  It went from red, to brick red, to brownish red.  A cut off from making that guitar that I kept in the basement has stayed the nice deep red.  If you keep the guitar away from windows and in its case when you are not using it I imagine it will hold its color.  The piece in the basement is over a year old now.

 

[philipc]

Those are some really beautiful pieces, thanks for the advice folks!