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Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) and white spots

JamesAri | Posted in General Discussion on May 27, 2012 06:19am

I am just about to order Jatoba engineered flooring with a 6 mm top layer. The company sent me a flawless (of course?) sample – of the oiled full wood version; they make their own engineered floorboards from that.

Today I went to an alternate flooring store around the corner and saw engineered Jatoba with pronounced, white spots (look like “scratches”, see attachment). The store owner reckoned that those white “scratches” are standard for Jatoba, and become more extreme with time/exposure to sunlight.

Anyone noticed this? The alternative proposed is Cumaru, but narrower, shorter, more expensive….

Best,
James

 

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  1. DanH | May 27, 2012 07:46am | #1

    You're link isn't making it, and I have no experience with Jatoba, but I've seen white spots similar to what you describe in veneered paneling of other species.  My speculation is that the spots are due to wood that has died (perhaps due to insects) and hence contains no resins.  With the veneered panels you may see it badf in some pieces and not at all in others.

    So it may be a matter of how well the vendor selects their wood.

  2. sapwood | May 27, 2012 12:14pm | #2

    Without actually seeing the sample, I cannot speculate on the cause of the white spots other than a lot of useless "could be's." I can tell you that I've built furniture using jatoba and have never seen these white spots. The wood finishes and works quite nicely. Jatoba is also known as Brazilian Cherry, usually when used as flooring. I've seen it in several homes and have never encountered the white spots. 

    I'm guessing that the condition is unique to what that manufacturer/dealer has to offer. Personally, I'd go somewhere else to do my shopping. Cut rate flooring will look cut rate. 

    1. calvin | May 27, 2012 02:19pm | #3

      sap

      It sounds like the OP has thought of ordering from a different supplier than the sample picture came from so your advice is similar to my experience-I've put down a couple beautiful cherry floors.    The flooring was supplied for our install by the homowners which had dealt quite good with I believe-Southern Hardwood Flooring (Ga.).

      Outisde of the darkening of the flooring not covered by furniture or a throw rug, they are still very happy with the product.  These were engineered with a pretty thick top layer.

  3. IdahoDon | May 28, 2012 10:23am | #4

    I know why that flooring is less expensive!!!   lol   Don't install crap that doesn't look right - the flooring guy is acting dumb so he can sell it - I've never seen b-cherry with white specs either installed or at a distributor and I don't know anyone that would install it unless it was dirt cheap and there was a thick enough surface to eventally sand and refinish.

  4. bill435 | Jun 09, 2012 02:09am | #5

    This is like no Jatoba I've ever seen.

    I use Jatoba for woodworking projects and it is a clear beautiful wood. I have obtained it from several vendors, none of it has the scratches orf white spots shown in your photo.

    Bill

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