Question: caring for the finish on my Cirrus

[Anthbass]

I traded a TB member for a walnut/wenge Cirrus last year, which has a natural (ie, no gloss) finish. It looks like it could use some polishing, so my question is what, exactly, should I be using to get that lovely chocolate top in proper form? While I am at it, I'd like to do the neck and fretboard, as well. I used gun oil on the rosewood board of my Ibanez as a kid. Good idea? Or? Thanks.

 

[bassplayertom77]

Tung oil. You can get it at a home improvement store. Gun oil sounds like a bad idea, mainly because it's for guns and not wood.

 

[MNAirHead]

Remember oiling your top (if you choose to) then should be written on your calendar.

Tung oil will gloss it. ...

I buy a penetrating oil from gun stores - - oil it down.. let it soak in.. let it sit for a few days (outside of the case) while it's drying off.

Tim

 

[MNAirHead]

Also remember that once you begin oiling your bass, you have to be SUPER careful to keep solvents away --- it will eat through your oil patina..... silicones will cloud it.

 

[MNAirHead]

There's also a bottle of gutiar oil called "doctor (somethings)" it's a white bottle with a spray top.. about $6 each..

I buy mine at a snob vintage place.

They were pining away about how it's the only oil they would put on a 50s strat or les paul.

I"m sure it's just Lemon Oil.

 

[spade2you]

Use a very fine grit sandpaper, then apply a form of oil. Gun oil smells bad and offers ok protection. Tung oil smells good and lasts a long time, but gives the wood a slight shine and a yellow tint. Lemon oil smells great and has no color, but I've found it doesn't last as long as tung oil.

I use tung oil, but only because it seems to be more durable than the other two. Less (frequent applications) is more, to me.

 

[Anthbass]

Great, thanks for the info, gents. Will look for some oil tomorrow.