Help With Tru-oil

[Chris_P]

Hey all, Im currently refinishing a guitar with tru-oil.. its working really well, very pleased with the results so far.

The problem is, as I build the finish and its getting more depth & shine im finding it hard when applying coats because I just cant see where its gone onto the body! I have find myself missing small areas, being a bit of a perfectionist It really bugs me! Also, when I use steel wool or 2000grit to smooth between coats it leaves marks on the finish which go when I apply the next layer, but Im a bit concerned about finishing the final coat! I have been leaving 8-12 hours between coats so far.

Any tips by experienced users of Tru-oil would be pretty awesome, thanks!

[thespen]

Hey Chris!

I've never finished a guitar with it as I prefer tung oil, but when working with tru-oil on gun stocks I usually find 000 steel wool doesn't leave too much of a mess as long as you buff lightly. Once I get to the final coat I just buff with a finish conditioner on a soft cloth to keep the sheen and it's usually pretty smooth. It'd depend on what wood you're using though, the walnut gun stocks tend to be a lot more resilient than traditional hardwoods used for guitar!

[Chris_P]

Hey Chris!

I've never finished a guitar with it as I prefer tung oil, but when working with tru-oil on gun stocks I usually find 000 steel wool doesn't leave too much of a mess as long as you buff lightly. Once I get to the final coat I just buff with a finish conditioner on a soft cloth to keep the sheen and it's usually pretty smooth. It'd depend on what wood you're using though, the walnut gun stocks tend to be a lot more resilient than traditional hardwoods used for guitar!

Hey, thanks for the tips dude the body im finishing is mahogany, its taking me a little while to get used to using the tru-oil.. it leaves a very nice finish though. The main thing thats bugging me now is despite trying to apply very light coats I still seem to get one or two small runs! I have been warming to oil slightly before I use it to make it more workable then using a small piece of cloth to apply, I did try using my hands but its very messy and doesnt wash off!

Also how many coats do you aim for? Im thinking either 10 or 15 coats but dont wana rush it and pay later!

Cheers, Chris.

[ScottR]

Even if you get runs you can level them out after curing a few weeks and then polish it like lacquer. I Like to use micromesh through all the grades and then a polishing compound. I beleive I remember Quarter saying he levels every three coats and actually thins the oil and sprays the final few coats with an airbrush.

SR

[madhattr88]

I did a bunch using TO. (see build #5 under my signature)

Most important step is pore filling. Then 10-15 coats of TO. I steel wooed after each coat. Very lightly, just remove the shine from the previous coat. After u apply the final coat, let it cure for 2 weeks. Then micro mesh 6000, 8000, 12000. Then buff and polish. Send me some pics of your progress.

madhattr88@gmail.com

[Helldunkel]

I've used again True Oil on my new "firedroid" creation, about 6 coats and everytime I sanded between them using 600 grit (wet thype sandpaper), then at the very end I used 000 steel wool...

Worked really nice and when you look close the finish is really even

PS: I did not fill the pores on this creation.

[RestorationAD]

Hey all, Im currently refinishing a guitar with tru-oil.. its working really well, very pleased with the results so far.

The problem is, as I build the finish and its getting more depth & shine im finding it hard when applying coats because I just cant see where its gone onto the body! I have find myself missing small areas, being a bit of a perfectionist It really bugs me! Also, when I use steel wool or 2000grit to smooth between coats it leaves marks on the finish which go when I apply the next layer, but Im a bit concerned about finishing the final coat! I have been leaving 8-12 hours between coats so far.

Any tips by experienced users of Tru-oil would be pretty awesome, thanks! <img src="http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/peace.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="peace.gif" />

Change your lighting. If you are missing spots your lighting is probably poor. If you are leaving marks on the finish with the steel wool let it cure a little longer between coats. When scuffing be gentle.

I used a lot of TO a few years ago. Depending on the finish you want there are 2 ways to approach it. You can do it like Huf and Madd do. I believe this is best practice.

Or you can try this.

<not best practice>

Since I wanted a build up and a shine I didn't bother scuffing between coats. 2 coats a day using nitrite (not latex) gloves. No rag, just oil on the gloves and rub it on. As long as the Tru-oil has not cured you should get fine burn in and adhesion. After about 20 coats let it cure for a week (or 2). Then you level the whole thing with 600 grit and buff by hand with rotten stone or whatever (if you didn't fill the pours don't use a paste as you will end up with white spots)

</not best practice>

If you can get the search to work this has been covered "Ad nauseam" in previous threads. I know Drak and some others have covered all this a hundred times.