Wax n' feed on a fresh polished tung oil finish?

[FenderBender82]

Just finished my French polished tung oil p-bass body and it looks awesome! But just from mocking up the neck and various pick guards I can tell this finish will not last long once I start gigging with it. So I figure I should wax it and I already have some wax n' feed but I don't know if it will dull the finish or anything else, I also considered Carnuba wax. Any suggestions ?

[lug]

A tung oil finish is fine if you use enough coats. The amount of coats varies wildly depending on how porius the wood is. A good number to start with is at least 5 (sand between coats)

[FenderBender82]

I did five 24hr soak coats wiping off after and sanding with 320 in-between. Then wet sanded in 50/50 mixed tung oil and mineral spirits using 600,800,1000,1500,2000 and 2500 grit. Then one last coat with a 400 count cloth moistened with tung and lemon oil. The finish is beautiful but I feel the need to wax it for peace of mind.

[Ric5]

Try Johnson's paste wax.

[Diogenes]

Did you use real shellac flakes or something like "Bull's Eye Shellac"? A French polish should last a good long time if done correctly and adding coats of tung oil and then a wax would defeat the purpose of a French polish.

[Arvin]

I assume you're referring to Howard's Feed-n-Wax?

I've done a couple of alder bodies with just that. No oil; nothing other than several coats of Howard's, buffed in by hand. I've got another instrument that I did in several coats of tung oil, and I rub in another coat of Howard's on it every so often. It's awesome -- I like this stuff.

[FenderBender82]

I used minwax tung oil, no flakes(what do the flakes do?). I'm new to this bass modding thing. The feed n wax worked wonders on my p-bass lyte so I was wondering what kind of effect it would have on a more polished finish, there are some swirl and haze marks that I thought it may help buff out

[Fender4Me]

Tung oil is not the same as French polish. Not even close. With wipe on tung oil, I use a gun stock polish by Birchwood-Casey. A wipe on poly finish would have been much more durable if you were going that route.

[Diogenes]

Originally Posted by FenderBender82

I used minwax tung oil, no flakes(what do the flakes do?)....

Shellac is what's used when doing a French polish. I prefer using shellac flakes dissolved in denatured alcohol at a ratio of 1oz of flakes to 4floz of alcohol... the results seem to be of higher quality than what can be obtained with the canned shellac offerings.

Originally Posted by Fender4Me

Tung oil is not the same as French polish. Not even close...

+1. To do a French polish involves learning a technique. To do a good French polish is an art.


Anyway, back on topic... I have never used Howard's Feed-n-Wax or such so I won't be of any help in that department.

[FenderBender82]

Ok, so it may not be French polished, but it's still more polished than most tung oils I've seen. Anyway who thinks I should just feed n wax and be done with it? Just got a new camera so I'll take some good pics for you all tomorrow.