tru-oil, again

The Achilles' Heel of Luthiery
Kevin Sjostrand
Posts: 3916
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Very pretty wood, nice job on the finish.

Kevin
Tim R
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:15 am

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by Tim R »

Thanks Kevin.

Dave, a video on pore filling would be great. On the sides, I worked up more of a paste at 180 grit and the pore fill appears to be more complete. Perhaps in the future I should continue with pore filling up through the next couple of grit levels.

Tim
deadedith

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by deadedith »

It does depend on the look you are going for. I suppose if I was to hang one of mine on a wall in a guitar store - NOT guitar outlet - I would go for the full pore fill, but not the high gloss, as a matter of personal taste. But being as how what I do sell is word of mouth, I don't worry about it as much. Just make the thing responsive and set it up well and make it look nice.
Tim R
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:15 am

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by Tim R »

Hello all. I’ve now finished the sides and am ready to finish the top.
Anything I need to know that is specific to applying tru-oil finish to the top?
Exact same process?

Thanks,
Tim
deadedith

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by deadedith »

Same thing!
glenklein
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:04 pm

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by glenklein »

I need to resurrect this thread...

Do you all use the same tru oil process on the top? I can't imagine trying to "pore fill" on the top, right? I would think that would muddy up the grain lines and just make a mess out of my nice spruce top?

Does the spruce suck up the oil too much and will that affect the tone - it seems to me that it could suck up some of the bright end?

Sorry if I missed it in this thread, but I didn't see much on tru-oiling the top.

Thanks!
Follow my first build...
http://glenklein.blogspot.com/
mjmeehan
Posts: 191
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:58 am
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Re: tru-oil, again

Post by mjmeehan »

Glen,
I can only speak for what has worked for me. I have applied tru oil directly to the top, let it set for 24 hours then proceeded with building the finish. But I still had the same concerns you have. For my last three instruments I have applied 2-3 coats of U-Beaut shellac (1 part shellac, 2 parts alcohol) level sanded and polished with micro-mesh. Then I built up the layers of tru oil. If only in my own mind it provided a better foundation for the tru oil and the instruments have come out looking and sounding great. I reached this process through many testings on pieces of scrap. Hope this helps and Best of luck!
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