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I just bought some new cocobolo which is pretty red in color. I want it to match some older cocobolo that has oxidized to a more orange/brown color. Does anyone know how I can rapidly oxidize the newer stuff to better match the older?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Time.

I would think if you stain it now it will end up darker later on.

You could try to leave it in the sunlight for awhile though this may cause it to move/warp a bit.

My 2c,

Is the older wood still in the raw state, that you are going to thickness, sand, etc.?  Wouldn't that temporarily lighten it up to maybe match the new?

Not that you probably dont know this, but not all coco is the same colour .. it may never match. I have some thats bright orange, dark orange, orangy brown, purpley brown, and reddish ... all have been ozidized for a while, they are just different and will stay that way.

remember the gump ...... like a box of chocolates

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Re-saw it if that's what your intending to do. Leave it out so that air will circulate around it. It will change considerably within 7-10 days. Unfortunately as Tony has stated above it still may not match. Heres some purplelish coco.

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Bob, that is some beautiful coco!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

you COULD (I.E this might have a slim possability of doing it very quickly) heat the wood with a mix of potassium dichromate and acid.the dichromate and the acid act as an oxidising agent. it works with alcohol, so it might work with wood.

it might work, or it might do nothing, and ruin a nice bit of wood.

it might only work if you evaporate the wood first

i think this is how stonebridge chemically age their WRC and spruce tops (they might use a different base though, im not sure, something like ammonia might work instead.)

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"Anything that happens, happens. Anything that in happening causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen. Anything that in happening happens again, happens again. Though not necessarily in that order." Douglas Adams

I saw one article that suggested putting 0000 steel wool in vinegar for a day, then combining that with tea. This apparently turns it gray which is not exactly what I want. I have found just a couple of days in the sun is changing the color somewhat. Thanks

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA