Does the rosewood always get darker when sanded? I have a 59 Grizzly sight window that stated getting almost black in color when I was sanding off the finish.

I also want info on this. I have sanded a number of bows where the wood turns so dark it is as if it is being burnt. I even tried scraping it to generate no heat at all with no luck. I have also had this problem with purpleheart what is up with this phenomena. Jim

Depending on the type of finish and exposure to the elements Rosewood fades to varying degrees, some to almost blonde. When sanded it darkens due to the oils coming back to the surface. It gets darker when sanded and even darker when the finish is applied. If wiped with acrylic laquer thinner (removes more oil) or Mineral spirits (less oil) it will remove some of the oil allowing a new finish that will dry and helps keep some of the extreme darkness from occuring, but it will still be a deeper, darker finish than the old faded surface. To me it is one of the most beautiful woods.