Tru_Oil Question

[Gibsonman]

Ok I understand.
So I think the back, sides and neck are ready for TO
Concerning the top Dave if I just go with the TO how far down grit wise should I go before starting to use the TO?
Also what do I do between coats?
Thanks .

[Dave Bagwill]

You can go as high in grit as you like, really. I usually stop at around 600 - 800 grit, and even that high is not necessary, but I think it provides a better surface for the finish.
The method I quoted above, from Dan Pettingill, tells you what to do between coats - you can coat 3 times a day without doing anything between the coats, but each morning there is a specified sanding procedure. Not hard. Also, the final coat being thinned 50/50 with mineral spirits will give you a nice shine. You will have to wait, as he says, for the finish to cure before buffing it out or rubbing it out or whatever you choose to do.
Questions are good, so don't be shy!
Also - please practice on some scrap wood - you don't want to practice on the guitar. Get a feel for laying down the oil, waiting, doing another coat etc. Then after 3 coats, let dry til the next morning and follow his procedure for sanding before applying more coats. Get comfortable with that scrap first.

I don't know what your woodworking experience is, but just to be safe: when sanding the top the point is not to remove a bunch of wood, but to remove scratches, sanding with the grain. Then the next higher grit removes scratches left by the previous grit, etc. Take a real good close look for scratches.

[Gibsonman]

Thanks Dave now I understand it better. Looks like I have more sanding to do. I have a ton of woodworking experience and I fully understand about sanding.
I know about using sanding blocks and not to use just your hand. I have been using a round hard cardboard with the sand paper wrapped around it to do the sides do you have a better way??
When you say final coat use the 50/50 with mineral spirits are you saying after the third coat each day or when you are completely done at the very end? I am guessing you mean when all is done.
You are a BIG help believe me and many thanks.

[Dave Bagwill]

When you say final coat use the 50/50 with mineral spirits are you saying after the third coat each day or when you are completely done at the very end? I am guessing you mean when all is done.

You're right, when all is done.
I use various things for sanding sides - you're ahead of the game since you've worked with wood previously. I learned the hard way about using my hand to sand. That was not a great day

[Gibsonman]

Dave do you have any pictures of any acoustic guitars you have done? I would love to see some of your work. You sound like you have this Tru-Oil thing down real good.

[Dave Bagwill]

Here are a few. There are varying degrees of gloss, and that's a matter of taste. I do like the ultra shiny finish but as a rule I prefer a 'hand-rubbed' look and my students have liked it as well. The first picture below shows the shiniest of the one's I've built, but that's as far as I go, and most of the time do enough finish to bring out the warmth of the wood and leave it at that.
You can take TO up to super gloss if you follow the directions.

[Gibsonman]

Wow Dave Very Nice work Thanks for sharing your pictures.
I am with you 100% I too love the hand rubbed look too.
I just finish 600 grit sanding, what a big difference.