Which oil for finishing

Chris-Mason

I am about to start a restoration project. The guitar is currently sprayed with a clear finish probably 2k.
I want to strip the finish off and use an oil. Which oil is the best for guitar finishes? body is Honduran Mahogany with a flamed flamed maple cap. Neck is also Honduran mahogany with Rosewood board.
Inputs gladly welcomed
Saddle and Nut

Clint-Green

I've found Tru-Oil to be very, very nice for necks (I've refinished the necks my two favourite axes with it, the Ernie Ball factory uses them on their Music Mans as well) and I know that a lot of luthiers use it for bodies too. It forms a thin film over the surface of the wood much like varnish would, as opposed to Tung, Linseed or Danish oil which soaks into the wood, therefore Tru-Oil is more durable than the other oils IMO but is still not nearly as durable as lacquer, which essentially forms a hard, protective shell over the wood.

So in other words, an oiled guitar will be a lot more prone to nasty dings if you aren't careful with it, than a lacquered one.

Bear in mind also, that oils have a bit of a golden tint to them as well so if you want a clear coat, oil is not the way to go.

AlanRatcliffe

I find tung oil to bring out the beauty of the wood the best - especially with highly figured woods. But it's far from being the most durable and does not build up to a film, so I like using it as a sealer and then finishing with a film finish over the top (pref. nitro lacquer and pref. with shellac between the two). Any one of the other polymerised dying oils will work too - Danish oil, boiled linseed oil (NOT cold pressed, which is a non-drying oil) or gunstock oil.

slyd

Hey S & Nut . . .

Show us a pic or two, or three, . . . . .
Then we would be able to throw our 2c into the advice pool, a lot easier.

PLUS! I'm really keen to see what guitar it is, with such interesting wood ???

I like Danish oil, . . . though I haven't tried the others.

Wizard

I tried a new experiment which I quite like.
First used a few coats of Danish Oil.
Smoothed down with 0000 steel wool.

Then applied this liquid wax:
http://www.diytools.co.uk/liberon-liquid-wax-polish-black-bison-clear-500ml.html
http://www.liberon.co.uk/wax-finishes/gallery_files/site/2136/7731/7746/7798/16503.pdf

Gives a very slippery and smooth finish; and a very distinctive smell; which you'll either love or hate.

slyd

@Wizard - that wax looks like it'll do the thang . . . ?

Wax & buff, . . . that's the thing. . .. 8)