I've read all the posts on this subject and I've also talked with my tech that suggested it but wanted to get some extra davise prior... I have a Pino signature P and the neck has very little finish on it... It's a bit too dry of the wood feel for me... I have a CS Rory Gallagher Strat and also a Jaco Relic and both necks are similar in look and feel... Both old/smooth in feel and dirty... Would adding the Gun Stock Tru-Oil work best for achieving the old feel? I've also read that rubbing graphite powder in to the neck aids in the dirty look. Is the tru oil is an easy application and can I apply he graphite powder afterwards or should I mix it into the oil? any insight from anyone that has had success to this Custom Shop Style finishes is appreciated.
What's the existing finish...nitro, poly, oil, whatever? You can't put gunstock oil on nitro or poly, the grain is sealed and the stuff just won't take. I have used it on numerous oil / wax finished basses including my Elrick, David King, Cirrus, CB, and a few others. As far as mixing the oil and graphite powder....I don't know. Why don't you try a small sample on an inconspicuous area and get back to us? You've got me curious. Riis
Should take the oil with no problem, probably 3-5 coats would be a good start. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly and rub out with either #0000 steel wool or a worn ScotchBrite pad. Follow with either Briwax or Howard's Feed 'n Wax (optional) with the same rub-out technique. The neck will require intermittent treatment with time and wear. Not too sure about the graphite matter, specifically the consistency during application. Graphite powder is super-fine and some portion will undoubtedly imbed itself within the wood grain. You may want to test the mixture on some scrap wood to get any idea. Hey, graphite's a lubricant....maybe you'll end up with a faster neck! Riis
Strip it all off first and wash it down well with naptha or paint thinner to get rid of gease and wax or you'll have areas where there is no finish going darker and areas where there is still some finish having a layer of the Trueoil that quite possibly won't adhere for long and will look pretty odd. I know because I've done it. For sure don't apply Trueoil over a surface finish. I don't know about the graphite. Maybe it will work. I've heard of graphite being mixed with epoxy to coat the bottom of wooden drift boats so they slip over rocks easier.
I have reservations about the graphite. It tends to leave dark marks - might make the neck look dirty or patchy.