by Rick Hill
Q.
Do you know of a good UV inhibiting additive for lacquer or a lacquer that contains such a UV inhibitor?
I just ordered a 5oz bottle of "wood stabilizer" lacquer additive from Rudd that they say helps some woods retain their natural color. Their rep said that used with a water-white lacquer, their tests show that maple, for example, will stay more white and will not yellow as much as it ages.
I have a wood,Chakte Coc, that is as red as a 'Red Delicious' apple when freshly cut but quickly fades to a bleached-out pale brownish orange when exposed to sunlight (not by oxidization). Any suggestions?
A.
If you can avoid the problems with oxidation (as in cherry) you can slow the fading with a UV inhibitor. Unfortunately, red is one of the quickest fading colors and lacquer is one of the fastest yellowing coatings, so your combination may not be the best to slow the fading.
I would use an acrylic with UV inhibitors added or at least a conversion varnish that does not contain nitrocellulose. Many of the conversion varnishes are made to cover white enamel doors where UV absorption and yellowing is easily seen.
Rick Hill is an independent representative and consultant for industrial wood finishes. He has been involved in the woodworking industry for 12 years, and has been known to actually hold, shoot, and clean a spray gun.
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