Sobot Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 I've decided I'm going to use Tung oil to finish my guitar (someone tell me if it's a bad idea!). Just a couple of questions... can I apply it directly to super-fine sanded wood that has been cleaned (of dust) very well or do I need something before? Also, will it darken the wood at all? It needs to stay the same wood colour that it is!!! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwoodsguitars Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Sobot, Tung oil will darken the wood. It depends on the species, it usually is subtle but on mahogany it gets fairly dark. You will need to test it on scrap, if you dont have any scraps pull off a control cover and try it in there first. Backwoods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 What kind of tung oil do you plan on using? A little warning... don't get pure tung oil (like Stewmac sells). I got some of it, but when I applied it (to scrap, of course) it was all sticky. I don't think it ever fully dried. I would use Forby's that you can get at Lowes or Home Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 What kind of tung oil do you plan on using? A little warning... don't get pure tung oil (like Stewmac sells). I got some of it, but when I applied it (to scrap, of course) it was all sticky. I don't think it ever fully dried. I would use Forby's that you can get at Lowes or Home Depot. ← You're supposed to add a siccative, or buy it already mixed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreGearThanSkill Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 I used Danish Oil (by Rustins) which is mostly tung oil. It worked very well. I went from raw smooth sanded wood and applied it directly (after doing a little stain and sand back) Apply, pause and wipe off. Repeat process. Very nice. Not alot of darkening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 I would use Tru-Oil, available at Wall-Marts in the gun section, or any hunting supplies store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 A second vote for Tru-Oil here...Birchwood Casey Tru Oil is the real stuff, imparts a slight amber tint to your whiter woods, but not too much. Better than tung oil IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclej Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 i've got a question for you guys that recommend true oil..i haven't used it for years but i have re-done some gun stocks in the past with it and the true oil that i used built up to a very high gloss finish. i like oil finishes because i'm not a fan of high gloss guitars and can build it to just the sheen that i like. does true oil now make a satin or low sheen product? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanKirk Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 does true oil now make a satin or low sheen product? Yes they sell gloss or satin in wipe-on or aerosol cans and I would also recommend the sealer to level the finish much quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 You're supposed to add a siccative, or buy it already mixed in. ← Yea, I wish I had known that then. Just trying to make sure he doesn't make the same mistake I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3Va1L Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 (edited) will tung oil make hondurian mahogany darker? I really LOVE the feel of tung oil on a neck (and should on a body too... lol) and i want my finish to be something like THIS Also, are there any tutorials on doing a tung-oil finish? thanks Edited July 13, 2005 by Pr3Va1L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclej Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 thanks vankirk..that's good to know and i just might give that a try on my current project. and yes, tung oil will darken your honduran mahogany. take a damp rag and wipe the wood and that's approximately what it will look like with an oil finish. as far as turorials there may be one here but just follow the directions on the can and you should do well..to me a hand rubbed finish is all about feel and quitting when it looks the way i want it to..not cut and dry, step by step instructions so just relax and enjoy the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooten2 Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Do a search for tung oil and read up. There was a guy here who put up quite a few good pointers on tung oil finishes, Dugz_ink or something close to that, was his handle. (Sorry if I got the name wrong!!) I used his pointers, along with a few others, to do an oil finish that turned out really great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobot Posted July 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 (edited) thanks everyone. What does polymerized mean? Would it be better than pure? I'm not much of a paint person, but I live very close to a lee valley : http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...t=1,190&p=42942 would any of those be suitable for the back of the neck or the body, I DO NOT want it to turn darker. Also, I see a gel finish there, would that be good enough for all the traffic on the neck? Edited July 13, 2005 by Sobot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooten2 Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Watco Danish Oil "Natural" really darkened up on me, so stay away from that one if you don't want it to darken. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnewman Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Any oil finish will darken wood, although some do it more than others. If you REALLY don't want it to darken AT ALL, you're going to have to go to a lacquer, urethane, or possibly super-blonde shellac (not a good choice on a guitar). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobot Posted July 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Any oil finish will darken wood, although some do it more than others. If you REALLY don't want it to darken AT ALL, you're going to have to go to a lacquer, urethane, or possibly super-blonde shellac (not a good choice on a guitar). ← Ok thanks, that's fine, that's what i said at the beginning to tell me if oil finish is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3Va1L Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 well, for someone like me that likes the look of natural mahogany and has no idea how (nor the time) to make a nitro/poly clear coat (2 months to cure before wet sanding... right.) oil is probably the very best finish possible, even if it means re applying it periodically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren wilson Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 Of all the oil-based finishes, tung oil is supposed to darken wood the least. The latest issue of Fine Woodworking has a whole feature on oil finishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobot Posted July 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 would this be an easy alternative? Would it look good and just be easy to do? http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...cat=1,190,42942 and what about this for the neck? http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...cat=1,190,42942 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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