G&L Gun Oil Tint ........... Revisited

[jwells393]

I'm reworking and refinishing a Squier Mini for my neice. I've recently acquired a G&L ASAT Classic with the gun oil tint neck. The photo below shows the Mini neck along side the G&L. The color is pretty close. I used ReRanch Butterscotch mist coats until I got the color I wanted. I went a little darker than I have on past projects. Once I got this color, I clearcoated it with Deft Gloss.

[Paul G.]

You managed to get some nice rich color in there, while avoiding the dreaded "Cheetos" finish.

P.

[Joe-Bob]

Originally Posted by Paul G.

You managed to get some nice rich color in there, while avoiding the dreaded "Cheetos" finish.

P.

Mmmm.......Cheetos..........Aaaaaaaarrghggghghghgh gh...............

[txspreacher]

Mmmmm...niiiiiiiiice!!! 8)

[JoeAArthur]

I don't know about Tru-oil aka... gun oil...

But tung-oil, as in Formsby's has the same amber tint... and all you have to do is wipe on a couple of coats. I did my body with it - 2 coats sanded back, 2 coats steel wool'ed... and I'm gonna move on to some number of wipe on PolyU coats on Monday.

[txspreacher]

Originally Posted by JoeAArthur

I don't know about Tru-oil aka... gun oil...

But tung-oil, as in Formsby's has the same amber tint... and all you have to do is wipe on a couple of coats. I did my body with it - 2 coats sanded back, 2 coats steel wool'ed... and I'm gonna move on to some number of wipe on PolyU coats on Monday.

That sounds like a cool project...will you be keeping us updated and providing pics?

[jwells393]

Have you tried it on maple? Maple is not easy to stain with an oil type stain.

[JoeAArthur]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Have you tried it on maple? Maple is not easy to stain with an oil type stain.

Personally no. I got the idea to use it on the body from the posts on the Carvin.com discussion boards - those guys just rave about it and don't seem to have any problem using it on maple.

I agree with what you are saying about oil based stains. But this Formsbys isn't actually a stain, it's a wiping varnish, and it has just the slightest amber tint. It dries hard and smooth - no oily residue or anything like that, and it goes on pretty thin. Took 4 coats to get a sufficient amber color - and it's still pretty light.

[txspreacher]

But this Formsbys isn't actually a stain, it's a wiping varnish, and it has just the slightest amber tint.

I guess the difference is penetrating the wood? (Wood shop was 20 years ago when I still had a few brain cells). In other words, is the difference that a stain penetrates the wood and "soaks in", while a wiping varnish is more of a surface application? Joe, did you say you were going to wipe on a clear after your finished with the varnish?

[JoeAArthur]

Originally Posted by txspreacher

I guess the difference is penetrating the wood? (Wood shop was 20 years ago when I still had a few brain cells). In other words, is the difference that a stain penetrates the wood and "soaks in", while a wiping varnish is more of a surface application? Joe, did you say you were going to wipe on a clear after your finished with the varnish?

If you want to believe what's written on the can, it claims to penetrate the wood, "giving protection from inside and out".

While the first coat went on a little rough because it was being rubbed directly against the bare wood, I didn't get the impression that the wood was absorbing anything.. The subsequent coats went on real smooth - and since the hard finish is supposed to be waterproof, I assume that also means oil proof. The "varnish", which is probably some polymer, is supposed to create a separate thin layer for each coat - meaning that the coats do not "melt" into each other.

And yes, my plan is to wipe on some number of clear coats, essentially using this as my "color coat". I'm essentially following Rob DiStefano wipe on method.

[txspreacher]

I'm building an amp cab later this year, it may be a good candidate for this finish. Thanks for the response, Joe!

[JoeAArthur]

Originally Posted by txspreacher

I'm building an amp cab later this year, it may be a good candidate for this finish. Thanks for the response, Joe!

I can see that!! Nice looking solid wood with something like dovetail joined corners (way too far beyond my woodworking skills).

[txspreacher]

Originally Posted by JoeAArthur

I can see that!! Nice looking solid wood with something like dovetail joined corners (way too far beyond my woodworking skills).

Wellsir, dovetail joints are past my skills, too. Fortunately, I have an uncle who's awesome at woodworking. He's a semi-retired preacher, so he jumps at the opportunity to get involved in small projects. If I was gonna paint it or tolex it, I'd just butt-joint it. But with that natural finish, I agree that the dovetails are the way to go!

[pirana]

I too have wanted to build my own cab. One made from some nice flame maple or birdseye with a hand rubbed finish would be beautiful. Also one made from a darker hardwood like padauk or purplheart with some simple pearl inlay would be pretty. There's a store in Houston where they sell nothing but exotic hardwoods & everytime I go in there I get a, pardon the pun, woody!

[txspreacher]

Originally Posted by pirana

I too have wanted to build my own cab. One made from some nice flame maple or birdseye with a hand rubbed finish would be beautiful. Also one made from a darker hardwood like padauk or purplheart with some simple pearl inlay would be pretty. There's a store in Houston where they sell nothing but exotic hardwoods & everytime I go in there I get a, pardon the pun, woody!

Yours sounds alot more ambitious than mine, bud! I'm looking more towards the minimalist approach. Pine or poplar, oxblood grille cloth. I am, however, gathering parts for a partscaster that will be finished in copper metallic, and I think I'll build a Champ-sized combo and finish it in the same color... 8)

[Joe-Bob]

There's a store in north Dallas that sells exotic woods also. Bloodwood looks cool, so does Cocobolo, Purpleheart, and striped Ebony, but they also have more normal stuff like mahogany and flame maple....and who knew Mesquite trees got big enough to make boards 12 inches wide?

[txspreacher]

Originally Posted by Joe-Bob

There's a store in north Dallas that sells exotic woods also. Bloodwood looks cool, so does Cocobolo, Purpleheart, and striped Ebony, but they also have more normal stuff like mahogany and flame maple....and who knew Mesquite trees got big enough to make boards 12 inches wide?

I can't for the life of me think of the name of that place... :evil:
There's a store in Mesquite like that, too. I always thought it'd be dangerous for me to go in.

[Joe-Bob]

Originally Posted by txspreacher

I can't for the life of me think of the name of that place... :evil:
There's a store in Mesquite like that, too. I always thought it'd be dangerous for me to go in.

Yes, bring your wallet, and check your Private Messages. :D

[Jimo]

Is it a "Woodcraft" store or "Paxton's"-------------?----JIMO

[txspreacher]

Ahhhhhaaaa...I think you nailed the Mesquite one. Paxton's sounds right. I reserve the right to be wrong.(hey, there's a future song title)

[Joe-Bob]

Originally Posted by txspreacher

I reserve the right to be wrong.(hey, there's a future song title)

Not anymore, I just stole it.