Refinishing some purpleheart and wondered what you guys thought the best way to bring out all the purple before I tru-oil it?   Any tricks to keep it purple?  

I have heard leaving it in direct sun on a hot day, and have also heard torching it a bit (dont want to do that) can bring the purple out.

Thanks for any help!

Someone once told me, that if you use an oil based finish on purpleheart it will turn brown.  I have used a bunch of purpleheart but, never used tru oil on it.  I would think when it is fresh sanded it would have the most color.

Check this out...

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/preventing-color-changes-in-exotic-woods/

Something with UV protection might be best, but all wood changes a bit IMO.

Sixby who uses a lot of purpleheart told me he uses spit and it doesn't loose it's color. I tried it and it works.

Spit?

I was able to get most of the purple color back by leaving it in the sun all day, already got the first coat of tru-oil on. Got impatient, I have been reading all kids of stuff from putting a finish with some kind of UV protection to rubbing the wood with sunscreen... lol

It will turn brown over the years, it is photo sensitive like Osage.  Using a UV protective finish will help it hold its color longer.

I know it will turn, thats part of the fun, but slowing it down wouldnt be bad. Anyone know of a uv protector that plays well with tru-oil?

I don't know about UV protection, but to get it more purple on raw wood, just add a bit of heat.  doesn't have to be much.  It'll bring out the oils and make the color more vibrant.

Most simple finished protect against UV, keep it in a dark place when not in use and it will probably stay purple. Idk about oil. Osage will stay yellow if you don't purposely get it in light a lot of its under glass and /or finish.

You can finish with Tru Oil and then shoot clear high gloss Helmsman , which is exterior with ultra violet protection over the tips. Then light coat of Tru Oil over that to match balance of finish. When you rub it out just take it easy on the tips to not remove the Helmsman.
I found out the spit thing by  taking a piece of purpleheart outside in the sun to see what it looked like. I spit on it to add a little moisture to see what it would look like finished. It immediately turned a dark purple color. Some kind of chemical reaction. It works. That's worked for me for many years. I have tried other things but nothing else works that I have tried. I now presand and shape my work with purple heart. Then do that and only lightly sand . I have bows that were built 15 years ago that have not changed from that beautiful dark purple.

God Bless, Steve

I have 2 cane's (walking sticks) Osage in the window for about a year, no direct sun light.
Starting to get where I want them.
I have read that you can not stop Osage from turning dark.
Good luck    

If you're going to heat it be careful not to overdo it. I tried using a heat gun once and it turned solid purple to the point where I couldn't even see the grain.