Wood Finishing

Some of my guitar bodies are bought in already routed with any optional routing done in-house, whilst others are done exclusively in house

The final shaping, configuration and hardware fit routing, edge radiusing, sanding and burnishing of the body is all done in-house prior to any colour staining

Grain filler affords a much smoother final finish but I only do this as a customer request as it degrades the guitars tone and inhibits the woods natural resonance

Tru-oil

Designed specifically for gunstock finishing, Birchwood Casey’s Truoil is a quick drying blend of linseed and other natural oils. It is water resistant and doesn’t cloud, yellow or crack with age but does have a golden amber tint that enhances the woods natural beauty

The prime reason why I adopted Tru-oil as my first choice is not because the final finish is strong and durable (which it is) but because it can be applied in such a micro-thin layer that it doesn’t inhibit the woods natural resonance in the way Nitrocellulose and Polyurethane finishes do, to produce the ultimate tone

Tru-oil works well for finishing all wooden parts giving a durable finish and on on the neck gives a super slick, fast playing finish that doesn’t get sticky in use

I apply a minimum of 6 coats of Truoil to each body using a lint free cloth, with some requiring upto 10 coats to obtain a uniform finish. Each coat is left to cure overnight and abraded prior to a subsequent coat with the final finish left for 7-10 days depending on humidity to cure sufficiently for final finishing

The cured finish is hand-rubbed with pumice infused Tru-oil Gunstock Sheen and Conditioner to produce a silky smooth medium sheen finish before applying a protective coat of high quality carbauba wax

Scratch and damage repair

Repair of scratches and surface damage is really simple. Firstly, remove the mark with wetted abrasive paper testing with 1000 grade and evaluating the finish. If this doesn’t remove the mark, try with 800, 600 and only if really necessary 400 grit paper. Once the mark is removed progress to subsequently finer grits upto 1500, always using the paper wet to prevent surface burns. If stain has been used, take care not to cut through to bare wood

Thoroughly dry the finish and leave to fully dry for a couple of hours, then wipe on a really thin coat of Tru-oil over the affected area using a lint free cloth and leave overnight to harden. Abrade the area lightly with 1500 grit paper and apply a further thin coat of Tru-oil, again leaving overnight to harden before applying a third and final coat in the same way.

Leave for 7-10 days to fully harden before final finishing by burnishing with T-Cut car paint restorer, trying not to let it dry out before buffing to a sheen and applying a coat of good quality car wax to protect the final finish

If damage is more significant or for more advice or help, please contact me here