In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

[Frantic_Rock]

Hey Guys.
I just bought myself a handmade canadian Lado neck-through guitar. It's hard rock maple with soft maple wings glued on the sides. It has all paint completely removed from the body.

I need to finish it. I haven't decided how yet. I was thinking of a hand rubbed oil finish. Does anybody know how to do them? What prep work I need to do for them?

Nitro is probably hard as hell - and I have no experience finishing guitars.

So can someone please give me advice on the procedure of doing hand-rubbed oil finish. Or any oil or furniture finishing procedure for that matter.

Thanks in advance
FR

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

Thanks a lot John John, great info.

I have 1 question. What do I apply the Watco's with? Any cotton cloth? Do I press and rub it in for a long time? Should I use a lot of oil to thoroughly stain the wood or just a little bit?

Can I get the Watco's, the minwax Wood Conditioner, thinned shellac, and minwax Finishing Wax at Canadian Tire?

Also how do I apply the thinned shellac? with a brush? thickly?

I guess I'll just follow the instructions for these products.


Definitely doing this in the coming several days. (Maybe tomorrow).

Thanks for advice!
FR

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

I've sanded the guitar to a point of 400-fine sandpaper. I'm not going any smoother - because I don't think it matters. Feels smooth as a babies behind anyway.

I put on the minwax wood conditioner two times - because I liked what It did to the wood.

I am now done with the first layer of Minwax Tung Oil. (They didn't have the Watco's at Canadian Tire).

In 20 hours or so, I'm gonna put on another layer of Tung Oil tomorrow.

Then I'm putting on the Minwax finishing Oil. I'll post pics after it's done.

The wood now looks very orangey. Very lively and warm. I think this will end up a very durable finish.

Thanks again JohnJohn.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

I suggest just burning the thing. Everyone know's Canadian wood is inferior. It all has that kind of whiney, "Eh Hoser" tone to it.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

I wish I could think of something clever to say right now.

You could send me your DAMN address for starters.

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

I suggest just burning the thing. Everyone know's Canadian wood is inferior. It all has that kind of whiney, "Eh Hoser" tone to it.

LOL You crack me up, EH ?!?!
Well, the oil will help it burn much faster and brighter, EH?!!?! . Hell it might release some cancerous fumes too, EH?!!?!?


JohnJohn - I'm not using Shellac.
As a matter of fact the guy in Canadian Tire told me that Tung Oil really seals up the wood. And after 2 layers of Tung Oil - its impossible to apply anything - because It won't get absorbed in the wood. He said he's went through the experience of trying to put 5 layers of Tung Oil onto a table, and the wood wouldn't accept it... What do you think about this?

I'm just going to do 2 layers of Tung Oil (1 more tomorrow), and then after 24 hours after the 2nd layer I'll apply the finishing wax.

So it should be done on tuesday.

PS: By the way, the finishing wax I bought is a creme color. They call it "natural". Is this ok? Will it color it a little bit?

 

[Quencho092]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

please post pics!

 

[Quencho092]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

would it be a good idea to fill a tub with tung oil, then dunk the guitar into it for a few minutes, pull it out, let dry, do it again, etc?

 

[Youngpup]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

I am going to save all this info. I am, hopefuly, going to finish up one of my project guitars.

Is using a Laquer on a guitar a bad idea?

Tyler

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

would it be a good idea to fill a tub with tung oil, then dunk the guitar into it for a few minutes, pull it out, let dry, do it again, etc?

If you had $4,392.12 to spend on the finish. Pure tung oil is not cheap.

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

If you had $4,392.12 to spend on the finish. Pure tung oil is not cheap.

Yep. A 946 ml bottle of Minwax was 14.99 Canadian.

Here are the pix after the 1 coat of wood conditioner and 1 coat of Minwax tung oil. You can also see the 3 finishes I'm using sitting on the table.

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

DOH. I've turned the french side of the labels!!! DANG !!! LOL :dance:

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

DOH. I've turned the french side of the labels!!! DANG !!! LOL :dance:

Damn foreigners.

 

[Youngpup]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

So useing a aerosol can of Deft brand lacquer would be alright? Would you spray it over the last oil coating, and how long does the rubbed oil finishes last?

Tyler

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: In short: How do you do a nitro finish or hand rubbed oil finish?

So useing a aerosol can of Deft brand lacquer would be alright? Would you spray it over the last oil coating, and how long does the rubbed oil finishes last?

Tyler

Like JohnJohn mentioned all lacquer's are NOT created equal. I learned my
lession the hard way. I use only Instument grade Nitrocellulose
Lacquer made by MacFadden or Belen. Both are available from Reranch or
Stewmac in rattle cans. ( Not sure if they will ship to Canada tho :question: )
A Lil' history lession... Nitrocellulose was devoloped by Dupont in the 1800's.
They where trying to make Explosives :saeek: and it was a by product of
that. Someone at Dupont noticed it acted as a binding agent and it was
use to make film at 1st. then found it's way into paint. Doing a Nitro Finish
is not really to hard, But labor intencive i.e SANDING. you gotta build it up
and sand it back down while letting it Cure bettween each coat. Not a
Instant gradafacation type of thing. And breathing that stuff won't do your
lungs any favors. Get a mask or resperation !! and work in a well vented area!
IT'S NO JOKE !! I gave myself pnemonia(spelling) spraying that stuff. Remember ... It's a by product of explosive's :13: