Acoustic Guitar Construction

Have completed my first guitar and am ready to apply the finish. Even though there has been plenty of good information already posted on Tru Oil application I still have a few questions. Does the guitar need to be wiped down with anything other than a damp rag? I will be pore filling with TO. Is 50 to 50 the correct ratio of mineral spirits and TO? From what I have read it looks like 2 pore filling sessions should do the trick. To what grit should the second session be sanded to? Any input would be appreciated. Thankyou. Jon

Hi Jon - You can raise the grain on the wood with a slightly dampened cloth, or a little bit of denatured alcohol, then sand to 220 or so.
Then apply a thin coat of straight TO and let it cure overnight.
Next day, use some 220 wrapped over a block - a big eraser works well - and put a few drops of TO on the paper and WITH the grain, sand a small area at a time; a slurry will form, and you want that slurry to fill the pores. Push it into the pores using fingers, or a credit card , mashing it in at 45 degrees or so to the grain direction. It goes quickly.

It is not a process I particularly enjoy. I've gone to an easier way (for me) which is to pore fill with zinnser seal coat. Wipe on a thin coat of sealcoat, let it dry 2 hours or so, then remove the surface coat with 0000 steel wool, or a scotchbrite pad - anything that will take off the shellac without removing any wood, just leaving the shellac in the pores. Takes two or three apps but does a fine job, and once the pores are filled, the TO can be applied in the regular method.

Thankyou Dave. Where would one find the Zinnser sealcoat? Also I am taking your advice I found elsewhere on the forum to practice on scrap. I ordered some lower grade mahogany. Again thanks for explaining both options. Jon

The sealcoat - I get it at Home depot, Lowe's, ace hardware, almost any paint store. Just call ahead and see if they have it.

Thanks again. I will check around.

Hi Dave. Just wanted to let you know that I went the Zinnser sealcoat route for pore filling. I put on 3 coats using 0000 synthetic steel wool between coats. For me it was very user friendly and did a fantastic job. After reading all I could on applying TO I have 7 thin coats on a piece of scrap. It is really looking good. After viewing your video and reading all i could on TO application I decided to follow your method very closely. I plan on 5 more to coats then letting it cure before trying my hand at bringing it up to a high gloss. I have been using the 0000 synthetic steel wool between coats. I am confident enough to start the process for real on the guitar. I may have questons later on bringing it up to a glossy surface but as for now a big thanks to you and others for all the good info that you have passed on. Jon

Jon - good for you for taking the time to practice, that will pay off greatly. I'm really interested in what you are doing.

I think letting it cure for a couple of weeks or more will be rewarded when you go to rubbing out/buffing.