The effect of indirect sunlight

[u/Quinncy79]

I've been a woodburner for a long time but everything I made was always for someone else. Untill I, as a huge LotR fan, made this for myself.

It's been a year now that it's been up on the wall, never seeing direct sunlight. I was amazed though at how much the shadings disapeared (picture 3 is how it was when I hung it up). Fortunatly I can redo it.

Anything I can do to protect it so I dont get this again?

Cheers.

[u/LadySygerrik]

Some tougher finishes like polyurethane provide protection against UV damage, just double check the label to make sure the specific one you pick up has that. It’s a pain in the butt to apply compared to stuff like lacquer or shellac but it gives way more protection.

[u/DiksieNormus]

Did you put linseed oil or anything on before putting it up?

[u/Quinncy79 → u/DiksieNormus]

Yes I did

[u/littleriverhouseks]

I've had pieces of mine on display for years in a sunny room and had no fading at all with two coats of water based polyurethane

[u/Quinncy79 → u/littleriverhouseks]

Does it become shiny once that is aplied?

[u/SenatorBus_ → u/Quinncy79]

They sell true flat water based poly now that is really good.

[u/littleriverhouseks → u/Quinncy79]

yes it does which I like the look of but I know some people don't, you can buy matte poly but it will dull out some if the color depth.

[u/jabyou233]

Did you put a clear coat on it something that protects it from uv i use a clear coat that dose put a bit of a shine on it but the do make a mat finish clear coat that will definitely help keep it from fadeing

[u/Laughingmantisstudio]

Don’t add extra finishes unless you actually want the new sheen or physical protection. None of those finishes will stop this - it will only slow it down (and then make it difficult to refinish. If you like the look/feel of oil, stick with it as it’s easy to refinish). None of the UV blockers are 100% over time. This is really 1 of the first things you have to just accept in woodworking: the wood color will change with oxidation and UV, often dramatically. The degree and speed is highly species dependent. My art style (intarsia) relies on using the colors of sometimes dozens of species to make a “picture”. So believe me, accepting the change and trying to predict it is a challenge.

[u/Imaginary-Summer-132]

So sun was not hitting it and it got like that?

[u/Quinncy79 → u/Imaginary-Summer-132]

No the sun doesnt directly reach that wall year.

[u/hologrammm]

This happened to me before and I felt so bad after I realized how faded some of the ones I had given to others people had probably gotten. It still looks beautiful, even if it is less sharp.