Calling ALL Finish Guru's

This is only gossip-mongering, as I have never tried it, but I have heard that a final treatment with Armor-All helps keep the padauk red. I haven’t tried it because I am leery of having silicon containing chemicals in the shop (fear of fish-eye). Surely the addition of Spar will help some.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

it might help for a while. spar urethane builds thicker and it has uv blockers in it. What was your mix with BLO, tung oil, or both? The best thing you can do to keep it from fading is not to expose it to sunlight. but all wood will change with time. Cherry and mahogany both darken, purple heart loses it’s purple color.

-- Joey, Magee, Ms http://woodnwaresms.com

Since you talk about controlling UV, thought it would be interesting to share what I learned in Bob Flexner’s Finishing class a few years back.
Bob talked about how all wood finished with a clear stain or finish would have its fibers break down when exposed to UV. He mentioned that the only way to prevent the effects of UV on the cellulose in the wood is to cover it with a solid body stain (eg. outdoor stains you can’t see the wood through), or paint it.
Since you want the beauty of the grain to show in your piece rather than covering it up with solid stain, there’s no way to prevent the darkening effects of UV.

-- Gerry

Flexner is a no-bull finishing expert and is correct that wood exposed to UV will break down. Eventually. UV blockers are actually absorbers and as such if you insist on a clear coat then go for the best product you can afford. My humble shortlist for brands that render the best protection follows. They all have high solids content and you can literally feel it when you pick up the can.

Epihanes
Penofin
Sikkens
Interlux

I’ve used all of these and they’re as good as you’ll get.

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

Thanks all,
I’ll try Spar varnish,
I heard that gossip about Armor-All , but I’m also leery about the silicone .

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL