Double Bass refinishing question

[Vince_P9]

I have a completely naked Engelhardt which I have decided to refinish with Birchwood Casey Tru Oil. Im aware that even though it is a fairly clear finish, it will color up after more coats. Even so, I would like to add a colored finish of my choosing. However, Birchwood Casey only makes one color of varnish which is a dark Walnut. Could I use something like Minwax, Zar, Old Masters, or any of the other colored interior refinishers available at the local hardware store somewhere in between coats of Tru Oil? Thanks.

 

[Ken McKay]

Furniture stains are probably best avoided on musical instruments.

It all depends on what you want it to look like though.

For a factory type finish I would recommend tinting the oil with Trans Tint metal acid dye. Moderately dark each coat. But the first coat or two should be clear. Then yellow tinted oil then brown tinted oil, 3 or 4 coats. Finish with a couple coats of clear.

 

[draftsmann]

I used artists' oil paint diluted in the Tru Oil to good effect when I finished my project bass. Clear coats first, then colour glaze coats, then more clear. Interestingly, the Tru Oil acts as an accelerator for the oil paint, which ordinarily is very slow-drying.

Warning: IANAL (I am not a luthier)! But this method is used by one of the TB regular luthiers.

Adrian

 

[ctregan]

Try a sealer coat (first coat on the raw wood), of thinned down orange shellac. It will add some yellow/orange undertones to the bass and give your finnish more depth.

Start on the underside, down by the end pin first, (just in case you do not like it).