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6 string Fretless with Ebony Neck

#242
Bruce Johnson said:
For that I recommend Minwax Oil-Enhanced Water-Base Polyurethane. It has a natural amber tint, about like Tru-Oil. It can be easily wiped, brushed, or sprayed. Dry to the touch in an hour, full cure in 24 hrs. Minimal fumes, water cleanup, no fire hazard. Can be built up, level sanded and polished to a high gloss, if you like. In a few days total. Tougher and more impact resistant than Tru-Oil. Commonly available and inexpensive (as finishes go). If you are doing Tru-Oil style finishes, this is the Holy Grail.

Only two cautions about it:

It has a natural golden-amber tint, so it enhances wood-colored tones. But you may not like it as top coats over white or bright colors.

It doesn't mix well with other finishes. The oil-enhanced part makes other finishes not bond well to it. If you're using the Minwax, use only the Minwax. Don't put other finishes under or over it.
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Bruce, is this the stuff you mean? having a little trouble locating any locally.
Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane Finish | Minwax
it doesn't say "wipe-on" though.

or is it this stuff?
Minwax Water Based Wipe-On Poly - Clear Polyurethane Finish | Minwax
 
#243
Gilmourisgod said:
Bruce, is this the stuff you mean? having a little trouble locating any locally.
Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane Finish | Minwax
it doesn't say "wipe-on" though.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the stuff I was referring to. It's a water-base polyurethane, but it has the bit of oil additive to make it much more like oil-base type finishes. It's very similar to Tru-Oil in character when you apply it like Tru-Oil. Yes, it can be wiped on.

The other is Minwax's standard water-base polyurethane, similar to Varathane Ultimate. A nice finishing product, but it's clear, not amber tinted.
 
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#244
With the fail on the front I was getting I am on the fence about using tru-oil. I cleaned off the front and then noticed a lot of scratches in the back (the finish is quite soft) so I stripped it. Possibly I built up layers too quickly and they didn't harden properly so I will give it another go with extra time between layers. If this doesn't work then an alternative finish will be used. I didn't have these issues with the Lee Valley tung oil I used before.
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#247
Gsnorgathon said:
Glad to hear it's working better, but you're making me greedy for a super close up view under the bright light.
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Hard to get and there is still a satiny sheen to it. Patience and once I get it built up again and it starts to shine out I'll get good photos.
 

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#249
With Minwax Oil-Enhanced Water-Base Polyurethane do you have to worry about witness lines like you do with a regular Polyurethane finish? Can any imperfections be repaired/fixed as easily as you can with an oil finish? I'd like to try this stuff and just wanted to know if there were any down sides.
 
#250
rwkeating said:
With Minwax Oil-Enhanced Water-Base Polyurethane do you have to worry about witness lines like you do with a regular Polyurethane finish? Can any imperfections be repaired/fixed as easily as you can with an oil finish? I'd like to try this stuff and just wanted to know if there were any down sides.
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I haven't tried Minwax. I've previously used oil based polyurethanes and lacquers. Soon to have a go with water based poly and still evaluating Tru-oil as an oil finish.
 
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#251
rwkeating said:
With Minwax Oil-Enhanced Water-Base Polyurethane do you have to worry about witness lines like you do with a regular Polyurethane finish? Can any imperfections be repaired/fixed as easily as you can with an oil finish? I'd like to try this stuff and just wanted to know if there were any down sides.
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I don’t know about the oil enhanced but I’ve sanded, sometimes a lot, on Varathane Ultimate and no witness lines.
 
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#257
Well I am getting close to completing the reno on my new to me house and getting things moved. I so hope to get some time this spring to work on this bass again. I just picked up a set of Graphtech Ratio tuners I am going to try on this as well. I'll probably make some new knobs from extra madrone later but will try them as is for now.
IMG_9324[1].JPG
 
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#258
Slidlow said:
Well I am getting close to completing the reno on my new to me house and getting things moved. I so hope to get some time this spring to work on this bass again. I just picked up a set of Graphtech Ratio tuners I am going to try on this as well. I'll probably make some new knobs from extra madrone later but will try them as is for now.View attachment 5352461
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Nice! I just learned about these the other day
 
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#259
I took a little time and started to sand back the Tru-oil finish. I've also decided to refine the round overs and edge profile some more. I had the edge to front/back transition a bit too sharp and I believe more round over will show better with the burl madrone.
IMG_9329[1].JPG
I also found this neat XLR connector that I may use in place of the stereo1/4" jack. I am running phantom power up the line for the Richter buffer and EQ.
IMG_9330[1].JPG
 
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