Well kept secret, or bloody obvious?

guidothepimmp

So I like to dabble in some home building and always find myself erring when it gets to applying the finish.
Always read sterling reviews about gunstock oil, linseed oil, etc etc.. but just couldn't bring myself to bringing in oil from some of the well known sites, as you probably know, unit price plus shipping = a world of wallet pain.

So fast forward to my mid morning drive through town on my way to the hardware, and for the umpteenth time I drive past a munitions shop. Yes a place that sells guns. One with a big sign outside with a picture of a rifle. Would you believe today was the first time it dawned on me that on the rear of said rifle was a chunk of wood. Yes, the stock.. "ohhh!! Gun stock OIL" well that bloody well makes sense eh?! ?

So I decide to stop and check it out.. and lo and behold..

The infamous tru oil.. that mythical oil used to finish guitars all over the world.. and at a fraction of the cost..

Seems bloody obvious now.. >☹

AlanRatcliffe

?
I suppose it's all about context - you don't expect there to be much crossover between music and firearms (aside from Ted Nugent). Truth be told, the artisanal weapons makers often use some pretty stunning woods for stocks and grips. Even some of the mass-market stuff - S&W used goncalo alves for decades.

Tru-oil builds nicely into a film, but doesn't penetrate much

lapdawg

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Tru-oil builds nicely into a film, but doesn't penetrate much

Alan - Do you mean that it sets like Tung or Danish oil?
Then I'd be interested, but IMO, there's nothing worse than handling greasy feeling wood.

guidothepimmp

lapdawg wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Tru-oil builds nicely into a film, but doesn't penetrate much
Alan - Do you mean that it sets like Tung or Danish oil?
Then I'd be interested, but IMO, there's nothing worse than handling greasy feeling wood.

The guy showed me some stocks he was oiling.. definitely not oily at all.. there is a different oil they use for that oily feel. Tru oil dried to a nice smooth finish.. not tacky at all

AlanRatcliffe

Tru-oil is mostly polymerized linseed oil, so it cures properly like the other drying oils. It's pretty tough too.

rikus

I finished the neck on my tele with tru-oil and I'm super happy with the result. Not sticky at all and it made the grain pop very nicely. It feels nice on the fretboard under the fingers as well. The only downside is the time it takes to build up enough layers.

Easy to apply to. I'd measure out 2 or 3 ml into a little cup, dip my finger into the oil and apply with my finger, rubbing it as thinly as I could. I used bits of coffee filters to clean up next to the frets. Quick rub with steelwool between coats.

I built up about 12 layers that way (I buried the logo about half way through). I got no runs or build up next to the frets without too much hassle. It buffed up beautifully with some polishing compound (though 0000 steel wool also gives a lovely matt finish).

edit: lots of threads on tdpri and a few acoustic guitar forums that give advise on using tru-oil... have a google.

lapdawg

Rikus - Where in Cape town did you get true oil? I m finishing up some fingerboards & would like to give it a go.

rikus

lapdawg wrote: Rikus - Where in Cape town did you get true oil? I m finishing up some fingerboards & would like to give it a go.

I bought it off bidorbuy from a retailer in Jhb and had it couriered. None of the shop in CT I called had stock at the time....