I'm working on a project that requires six different types of distinctly colored woods, but I'm concerned about fading. I've heard that many exotic woods, like purpleheart, lose their vibrant hues quickly, turning brown. I want to use a simple oil finish without any stains or dyes. What kinds of woods have you used that can maintain their color over time?
2 Answers
Every type of wood will change color as it oxidizes, but lighter woods like maple will darken less, usually shifting to an amber shade rather than brown. It’s tough to find a wood that keeps its exotic color forever! If you go with something dark like ebony, the changes may be less noticeable.
Bloodwood and yellowheart are great choices; they tend to hold their color really well! But just so you know, most vibrant woods will still darken over time. It's just a part of aging wood.
I'm really hoping to find woods that still look different from one another over time, not just fade into a uniform color. I'd like them to keep their base color, even if they darken a bit. Any suggestions?