Bocote, does it darken?

[Flying Dutchman]

Does Bocote darken as it ages? Does it keep on darkening or does it stop at a certain level?

[Paul Shirek]

It does darken from golden to more of an orange/brown. It seems to also take on a duller look then when first finished. It is still a great and beautiful wood though...

[Bjorn]

I removed the bow quiver from a bocote riser a year ago, the main wood had darkened compared to the lighter wood which now had strap marks. More recently I removed the quiver again and there was much less difference.
So, yes it darkens a bit initially but not much at all after one year.

[YORNOC]

Yup!

[jonsimoneau]

Yea. It pretty much stops darkening after a year. I love Bacote. Like it much better after it darkens.

[sawtoothscream]

mine looks about the same as it was when I first go tit, the riser might be a little darker, the limbs dont look like they darkened at all

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks for all the answers!

[KentuckyTJ]

Here is about an 8 month difference from new. You can see where I put on a small side plate. I think it has a lot to do with the UV protection in the finish coat.

   

[Flying Dutchman]

I think you are right! UV protection can be the key. But I like more when it is darkened a little bit.

[KentuckyTJ]

I agree FD. The darker the better for me.

[Flying Dutchman]

Yup. I just bought a 2nd hand like new takedown. Bocote limbs and riser bocote with wenge. I saw it one half year ago when it was new, and I didn't like the wood color.
Now it has darkened, and I just love it. Hope it darkens even more.

[Tim Finley]

The more oil in the bocote the darker it will get. Most use Thunderbird epoxy spray and it has no uv blocker .

[**DONOTDELETE**]

There are different colors of Bocote out there too. The lighter colored stuff has a tendency to darken up a little more than the darker colored pieces do.

Some finishes have more tendency to yellowing with age and this will change the appearance too.   kirk