the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

[Empty Pockets]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

yeah tryin to salvage the crayon job...hahah it should look much better with the oil.

can't wait to hear what you think of the fully assembled tele.

 

[Philcguitars]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

Nice Finish, and close to a project I have brewing! I appreciate the insight.

 

[jmh151]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

I'm finishing the walnut stocks on my rifle with Tru-Oil. I'm using the spray cans.

Here's a misperception about Tru-Oil- that it stays flat. It can build up a very high gloss-not PRS type gloss- but a very high gloss. It's like a varnish, but penetrates and seals the wood alot better. The secret to a very high gloss- on anything- is sealing the pores of the wood. With Tru-Oil, you can layer enough coats- sanding in between coats- to seal and level the grain- but don't expect a level PRS type automotive finish.If you wet sanded that tele a bit more, before oiling, you might be able to get a finish that's less grainy (if that's what you want).

Tru-Oil also gives a nice amber hue when used, it seems to bring out the grain and character of wood better than any finish- if you want that antique/aged look, and ages over time to a nice amber patina. Not good if you're using a non-traditional stain like some PRS finishes (blue or green, for instance).

Tru-Oil is easy to repair, but also dings easily- since it is a thin finish. Very nice for guitar necks if you use steel wool and polish it down to a smooth patina.

On my Korina strat, I layered about 10 coats of tru-oil on the body to seal and tint it, sanding between coats. Once it cured, I sprayed Dupli-color clear acrylic gloss (auto parts store) on the body for protection, again, sanding between coats to keep it thin and reduce orange peel. Again, not a PRS finish, but it keeps the body protected, while also allowing the tru-oil to age. This gave the Limba the "Korina" amber color that we're used to seeing on vintage Gibsons, not the pure white Limba I saw on recent Korina guitars, which looks like Luan.

Just my thoughts.....

 

[theodie]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

I'm finishing the walnut stocks on my rifle with Tru-Oil. I'm using the spray cans.

Here's a misperception about Tru-Oil- that it stays flat. It can build up a very high gloss-not PRS type gloss- but a very high gloss. It's like a varnish, but penetrates and seals the wood alot better. The secret to a very high gloss- on anything- is sealing the pores of the wood. With Tru-Oil, you can layer enough coats- sanding in between coats- to seal and level the grain- but don't expect a level PRS type automotive finish.If you wet sanded that tele a bit more, before oiling, you might be able to get a finish that's less grainy (if that's what you want).

Tru-Oil also gives a nice amber hue when used, it seems to bring out the grain and character of wood better than any finish- if you want that antique/aged look, and ages over time to a nice amber patina. Not good if you're using a non-traditional stain like some PRS finishes (blue or green, for instance).

Tru-Oil is easy to repair, but also dings easily- since it is a thin finish. Very nice for guitar necks if you use steel wool and polish it down to a smooth patina.

On my Korina strat, I layered about 10 coats of tru-oil on the body to seal and tint it, sanding between coats. Once it cured, I sprayed Dupli-color clear acrylic gloss (auto parts store) on the body for protection, again, sanding between coats to keep it thin and reduce orange peel. Again, not a PRS finish, but it keeps the body protected, while also allowing the tru-oil to age. This gave the Limba the "Korina" amber color that we're used to seeing on vintage Gibsons, not the pure white Limba I saw on recent Korina guitars, which looks like Luan.

Just my thoughts.....

Get some good guitar polishing compounds. Work your way through the grits using heat and pressure and tell me you can get a VERY high gloss shine. Try it out.

 

[J Moose]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

With Tru-Oil, you can layer enough coats- sanding in between coats- to seal and level the grain- but don't expect a level PRS type automotive finish.If you wet sanded that tele a bit more, before oiling, you might be able to get a finish that's less grainy (if that's what you want).

Yeah, I realize that. I also could've hit it with grain fill but I skipped it as I wanted to try & maximize the resonance of the instrument and I also wanted to feel some grain, like my old USA Schecter Tele.

Part of the reason I used the Tru-Oil was purely experiential... I had heard so much about it & wanted to see how it would turn out, knowing that I could sand & spray laquer over it if I was unhappy with the results. If I was really after a "solid" gloss, like a factory finish I'd have taken the body to a real spray booth & had someone else do the work.

Anyway... my tech called this afternoon & she's all done! He fit the nut, did the final setup & corrected a ground in the wiring. I'll pick it up tomorrow!!! Rock. On.

EP ~ After you get that strat down to bare wood & stain it the biggest hurdle is having a place to hang the body & work it for several days with proper ventilation.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

what do you mean 'work it'? i thought you just oiled it up and let it hang out to dry.

 

[J Moose]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

Ok...

I picked 'er up this afternoon and while the "setup" needs some work this thing rips! It's crazy resonant. Open chords, single notes... clear as a bell and the guitar vibrates like it's one piece of wood. Even the knobs & switch tip have a palpable shake. Killer. Totally hits my expectations of being a good, usable instrument!

what do you mean 'work it'? i thought you just oiled it up and let it hang out to dry.

You don't work it man? I thought you'd be one of the ones who works it...

haha

Yeah, it's almost that easy. As you'll see in the pictures later I chose to hang the body for the duration, both while applying the oil & while it dried. After it's sanded & stained you do a coat of oil, let it dry for a few hours, hit it with another & another. Rinse & repeat. Between coats you need to at least knock the gloss off with 0000 steel wool or wetsand. After knocking the gloss off I'd wipe it down with 99.9% isopropyl alcohol to remove any fine debris, let it dry for 20-30 minutes and smack the next coat on. One or two coats is not really sufficient... I did three coats of the wipe on bottle and maybe 4-5 of the rattle can which were thinner/lighter.

I could check my book, but I think the whole process from stain to the final coat took 3-4 days. It was kinda humid at the end of June when I applied the oil so at times it took quite a few hours to dry between coats. Also if you get any runs or drips... high spots, low spots etc. you'll need to work those out.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

ahh the old finish / sand / finish / sand routine. i hate doin it but i can deal hah

you stained that thing first? so it's not just oil that made it that dark?

would a purple stain turn out with a tru-oil finish? :smokin:

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

That guitar is gonna sound killer! congrats!

 

[B Bent]

Re: the Thinline Tele Tru-Oil build is complete!

Nice looking Tele bro! Gosh I had long forgotten about that Texas Special! I dig that geetar man!