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Refinishing a Fender Alder body in Tru-Oil?

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by HeavyDuty, Dec 20, 2014.

  1. Dec 20, 2014 #1
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    I recently picked up a used third AmStd P5 with the intention of having the neck professionally defretted. My only issue with it is cosmetic - I already have a sunburst/rosewood P5, and I'd like to make the look of this one different. I was originally planning on swapping out the body with a natural finished ash one from Warmoth but they don't make one in AmStd P5 configuration. So, it looks like a refin is the answer.

    The grain on this one appears OK, and I'm not seeing any nasty boards through the finish. I know it's a crapshoot until the finish is off, but I think I'll be OK. I would reuse the original tort PG and all the hardware.

    Here a pic I lifted from one of the Sadowsky club threads that shows a natural finished alder body with a rosewood board and tort PG, I think I like the look:

    Sadowsky Jazz.jpg

    I think I'd like to try this with a Tru-Oil finish. I've used the stuff for gunstocks and like how you can change the appearance simply by controlling the number of coats you apply - a nice low sheen finish with two or three applications all the way up to a deep full gloss when you do a dozen or more. It's easy to work with, too. I'm thinking I'll strip the body and try applying some Tru-Oil under the pickguard and see how I like it.

    Has anyone here tried a Tru-Oil finish on alder? I've been finding some pics on der webz but would welcome firsthand experiences.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Dec 20, 2014 #2
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars

    If you want a low gloss finish, consider Formby's low gloss tung oil. Its a bit easier in application, and it smells a whole lot better.

    My concern with the body is that it may be a multi piece body with a veneer on top and back so the burst looks like a single piece body. You can probably test this by checking if the grain in the neck pocket matches the top.
     
  3. Dec 20, 2014 #3
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    Good idea, thanks! I don't think this one is veneer, I can see what looks like separate boards - but it's best to check first. I'll check out the Formby's, too.
     
  4. Dec 20, 2014 #4
    202dy

    202dy Supporting Member

    Sep 26, 2006
    Both are good choices as is boiled linseed oil. I've used BLO on both ash (gorgeous) and alder (pretty good looking, too). Tung oil works nicely and is a bit harder (these are gnats eyelashes we're splitting here) than the other two. Boiled linseed has a natural yellow cast to it much like nitrocellulose lacquer.

    The only caveat to oil on alder is that alder is relatively soft. A fingernail can make a dent in this species. That aside, oil finishes feel great under your forearm. And your thumb!

    As far as odor goes, you have to love the smell of tru oil in the morning. There's nothing like it. (with apologies to John Milius and Francis Ford Coppola)
     
  5. Dec 20, 2014 #5
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    I am pretty sure Formby's is mostly BLO with varnish and drying agents, so yeah it drys a slightly harder, but most importantly it drys faster. Looks wise, I agree, you are splitting gnats eyelashes.
     
  6. Dec 20, 2014 #6
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    That's something I hadn't considered - the durability/hardness of the finish. Maybe Formby's is the answer.

    I was originally thinking a wipe-on satin poly - maybe that would be a better choice? What got me thinking Tru-Oil is the ability to get a deep, glossy finish.
     
  7. Dec 20, 2014 #7
    202dy

    202dy Supporting Member

    Sep 26, 2006
    Wipe on polys are pretty flexible. Really won't protect against denting.

    The oil will look great, especially if you apply enough coats to get the deep, glossy finish. Close up it's like looking into rather than at.
     
  8. Dec 21, 2014 #8
    iiipopes

    iiipopes Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    Minwax also makes a tung oil finish I have used on the backs of my half-fanned P/J & guitar. wipe on, wipe off, dry a day, buff, repeat until the desired number of coats and depth of finish is achieved. I really like the smooth finish when buffed out.