refreshing the oil finish on my bass

SurrenderMonkey · #1 08-27-2006, 07:06 PM

Hi there,

I just bought a new bass, and the body has a few little knocks and scratches, and pick marks, looks like the strings were stabbed! Also, there is also a light discoloration on a corner, it looks like this bass hasn't been used much and left carelessly probably under a window. It's a Ibanez K5 natural oil finish, mahogany body in a padauk sandwish. I think it's a revival of the SR1305, with updated electronics. From what I know, that bass belonged to a (very lucky) kid who gave up playing the bass guitar, and left it in a corner, until he or his parents decided to sell it.

Some of the wood feels a bit 'grubby', like it's got some dust deposited, and the wood at some places feels rough and 'porous' in the cutaways, like a bit dried up. Or maybe I'm just not used to oil finishes, it's only my second bass, my first has some sort of a thicker satin varnish, so you dont really feel the wood.

The fretboard is mint, as I said, not used much.

So, how to restore its shine, sort out the discoloration, the scratches? From what I know, it requires using a very lightly abrasive cloth (Scotch Brite Ultra Fine #7448, or a special polish cloth for guitars) with a little oil, dry it with a cloth, and let it set. I'll do the neck as well, and the head.

I might as well do the fretboard. From what I've heard, it need some red oil. Is that the same oil than for the body?

Also, the 'gold' bridge and tuners are discolored. Anything I can do? Browsing as Sam Ash, there are hundreds of product to care for your guitar (some really surreal), but not for looking after the metal parts.

It really looks like the guitar hasn't been looked after properly. A shame, It's perfectly sound otherwise and sounds great, even with the original strings still on. I think this instrument deserves better, and I want to put it right.

hyp.spec · #2 08-30-2006, 09:19 PM

62bass · #3 08-31-2006, 07:28 AM

The easiest good looking finish would be a Minwax tung oil finish. It's not really all tung oil but it will protect better and give a nice satin sheen. You'll have to do some light sanding with 220 grit before and clean off old wax and grime with some paint thinner. Then 3 or more coats of the Minwax. It'll look better than new.

I've used a metal polish on my gold plated tuners that didn't remove the gold plating but did a good cleaning job. Can't remember the brand name right now but it's easily available.

SurrenderMonkey · #4 08-31-2006, 08:09 AM

ok, ta.

keyboardguy · #5 08-31-2006, 11:12 PM

+1 on the Minwax tung oil

Here's my last project on a Carvin Koa using the Minwax:

http://www.carvin.com/carvinbbs/viewtopic.php?t=6414

Regards,

Mike

62bass · #6 09-01-2006, 01:10 PM

Keyboardguy's method is a very good one and will produce superior results. I use it on furniture. It works. It'll look better than new.

SurrenderMonkey · #7 09-06-2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyboardguy

+1 on the Minwax tung oil

Here's my last project on a Carvin Koa using the Minwax:

http://www.carvin.com/carvinbbs/viewtopic.php?t=6414

Regards,

Mike

That looks spanking

My bass isn't that worn out though, just a bit faded. I did the polishing 3 times, once a day, with a light polishing cloth and some oil (d'addario), and it's looking much better already. The grime and the microdust dissapeared, and it's got a more glossy finish. Also, I wasn't prepared to take it apart (then the problem becomes, to put it back together!

).

But yours looks like new, good job!