Since it seems to be improper (or illegal) to copy the article on coloring purpleheart using acid, I will try to paraphrase the article. To give credit where credit is due, this article appeared in the Spring 2004 edition of American Woodturner written by Bill Haskell.

Evidently, if smoothed and sanded purpleheart is treated with muriatic acid, the wood will turn a Cranbury color. To my mind, this is more of a red shade than a purple. So test the results on some scrap before committing your latest masterpiece!

The author suggests two procedures, fuming and wiping. The fumes of muriatic acid will rust steel tools. Also, be quite careful in handling any acid.

Working outdoors use a very small amount of acid to fume the piece. The acid should go into a small plastic container, which is placed inside a larger plastic lidded container containing the piece to be fumed. The color change should take place overnight.

Alternatively, you may wipe the piece with a sponge that has been dipped in the acid.

There where no instructions in the article about neutralizing the acid. By the way, muriatic acid and hydrochloric acid are the same. It can probably be found in swimming pool supply stores and places like Home Depot or Lowes.

Please be careful (use outdoors, wear gloves, eye protection) and let us know your results.