Sealing a neck

floatingaxe · #1 03-10-2011, 11:26 AM

I have a bass with an unfinished or satin bolt-on neck. It moves too much from the weather for my liking.
I have some Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil from a defret project.
Will this work to seal the neck so that it isn't effected as much by weather changes? Do I have to seal 100% of the neck or can I avoid the part that goes in the pocket and the tuner holes?

testing1two · #2 03-10-2011, 02:59 PM

Tru-Oil is fantastic for this application (do a search and you'll find all sorts of good info here).

floatingaxe · #3 03-10-2011, 03:59 PM

Yes, I've found lots of great info on using it to seal fretboards, which is what I got it for.
But I didn't know if using it on the neck wood itself had any different "rules".
Specifically I would really like to know if I have to seal the entire neck 100% to get the benefit. Or if I can just do what is normally exposed.

testing1two · #4 03-10-2011, 04:42 PM

Typically necks are sprayed with sealer so just about everything gets covered. That said I don't think exposed tuner holes or an unfinished heel will make any difference whatsoever in stability.

floatingaxe · #5 03-10-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

Typically necks are sprayed with sealer so just about everything gets covered. That said I don't think exposed tuner holes or an unfinished heel will make any difference whatsoever in stability.

I was hoping not. Because I don't want to effect the fit.
I'm probably going to do everything except the part of the heel that meets the bass.

testing1two · #6 03-10-2011, 08:32 PM

Don't worry too much about fit. The beauty of Tru-Oil is that each coat is remarkably thin so you can build up as little or as much as you want.

202dy · #7 03-10-2011, 08:56 PM

Tru-oil is a good finish to apply to an unfinished neck. There are other oil finishes that will do a good job.

A satin finish neck already has a serviceable finish already applied. Tru-oil (or any other oil) is both unnecessary and will make a mess.

floatingaxe · #8 03-11-2011, 07:08 AM

I'm pretty sure it's unfinished. In any case I will be light sanding it before I put the oil on.
My neck-through, completely finshed bass is effected much less than this one, that's why I want to do this. I don't have any epoxy or anything like that so I figured the true-oil would work good. And it's very easy to work with.

**joinercape** · #9 03-11-2011, 07:42 AM

Shellac is a great sealer or finish, and builds fast and sands and levels easily even if you rub or brush it on. Just another option. It feels great too.