Turning Yellow

[Fish]

As Baltic birch portraits get older, I notice the wood seems to be turning yellow.  Has anyone else had this problem? Should I put some kind of finish on them when I get them done? Maybe a flat poly spray?  They don't look really bad I was just curious.

[jollyred]

Almost any wood will change color as it ages, especially in the presence of sunlight.  Just the nature of the beast.  No clear finish will stop this forever. (maybe paint, but you can't see the wood through the paint anyway).  Most turn some shade of brown or yellow.  The only woods I can think of that aren't noticeably changed are woods that are extremely dark, such as ebony.

[Ron Johnson]

Like Tom indicaded Dan all woods will usually darken with age.  This is normal.  I do BB portraits and leave them natural when displayed behind glass. The ones not displayed behind glass I apply a bees wax or cabinet makers wax. As you know the sun can create more harm than good. 

[John B]

I always give mine 2 or three coats or acrylic lacquer (Automotive clear) this contains UV inhibitors. It won't stop the lighter timbers from yellowing, but it does slow down the process quite a bit. and seems to reduce the effect.

[Fish]

Thanks for the input.  They Look good I just hope it doesn’t get so dark that  it would look really bad.  I only have them on the wall in the garage but some are pretty old.  

[heppnerguy]

2 hours ago, Fish said:

Thanks for the input.  They Look good I just hope it doesn’t get so dark that  it would look really bad.  I only have them on the wall in the garage but some are pretty old.  

If you saved your pattern, you could just cut another one. They aren't that difficult to cut. Just a thought

Dick

heppnerguy

[Fish]

I didn’t think about that.  Good idea.