MarkG3 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Hello everyone, I am currently working on my USA pbass and have decided on keeping it as a natural finish. I have sanded the body down to the wood so now I would like to get the wood a little brighter, like if you were to get a damp cloth and wipe the wood. Do I need to use beeswax or wood stain? Or what's the best option here? Once that is done will it be ok to then spray lacquer over the top? I have done some searching on this but still didnt feel I had an answer. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul torch Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I've heard tung oil or gun oil works well. Don't think you need to lacquer. I'm sure someone will be along in a min with a more informed answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Hi, The 'damp cloth' effect will appear when you apply a clear finish. What wood is it - ash? alder?. Either way, but especially with ash,you will need to fill the grain of the wood before you apply the lacquer (that is if you want a smooth finish). The trick is finding a grain filler which looks ok with your wood, aqnd even then creating a smooth finish is no picnic! I'd avoid wax, as it will create a layer which the lacquer won't want to stick to. Your easiest option is oil, as Mr Torch has suggested. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 Thanks both of you I think it is alder but I could well be wrong! There doesn't seem to be dips in the grain it is just smooth so I don't think it would need filling - As I have seen some guitars/basses where there are dips and ridges in the grains. I'll look into the oils and see what I can find! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 (edited) I have found this? [url="http://www.screwfix.com/p/colron-refined-danish-oil/54151"]http://www.screwfix....anish-oil/54151 [/url][url="http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=345332"]http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=345332[/url] Same thing but the description on Homebase says it's tung oil Edited March 20, 2012 by S9_S12_Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaver Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I finished my first bash at one of these on the cheap as follows: a couple of coats of Colron staining wax, a couple more coats of Lord Sheraton's Beeswax, and a polish with Gibson guitar polish The results are here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/43330-first-time-build/page"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/43330-first-time-build/page[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='S9_S12_Bass' timestamp='1332234197' post='1585056'] Hello everyone, I am currently working on my USA pbass and have decided on keeping it as a natural finish. I have sanded the body down to the wood so now I would like to get the wood a little brighter, like if you were to get a damp cloth and wipe the wood. Do I need to use beeswax or wood stain? Or what's the best option here? Once that is done will it be ok to then spray lacquer over the top? I have done some searching on this but still didnt feel I had an answer. Thanks! [/quote] A decent option that works is 'Tru Oil' aka gunstock oil and you can buy it thru Ebay.....the most common manufacturer is Birchwood Casey, about £8 for 240ml bottle. I don't think your wood will need a 'filler.base coat'. I think Birchwood Casey website has details of applying the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='S9_S12_Bass' timestamp='1332234197' post='1585056'] Hello everyone, I am currently working on my USA pbass and have decided on keeping it as a natural finish. I have sanded the body down to the wood so now I would like to get the wood a little brighter, like if you were to get a damp cloth and wipe the wood. Do I need to use beeswax or wood stain? Or what's the best option here? Once that is done will it be ok to then spray lacquer over the top? I have done some searching on this but still didnt feel I had an answer. Thanks! [/quote] http://sport.birchwoodcasey.com/Finishing.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Just remember that once you've used oil or wax you've got no chance of a laquer sticking to the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 You wouldnt need lacquer if you have enough patience to work through around 8-10 coats of oil (I prefer danish oil) and a couple coats of good quality wax. I would finish you bass like this: 1. Sand for a ridiculously long time working through various grades. A good rule of thumb is, when you've finished with a grade, spend the same amount of time with that grade again. Manufacturers like RIM and Shuker will spend days sanding their guitars. It makes a difference! 2. After sanding, apply a coat of oil (follow instructions) and leave for 6+ hours. Sand with a very high grade (300+), dust with compressed air and then apply more oil. Repeat this stage about 8 times. More if you want a deeper finish. Remember to sand inbetween each coat. 3. Leave for a few days and then apply a coat of wax and buff straight away. Leave for another couple of days and apply another coat of wax. Buff! Should look great by now! Here's one I did a couple of weeks ago: And that was just after the second coat of wax. Just remember to leave few days between each process to let everything settle down a bit. Hope this helps! Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 Excellent thanks for all the replies! I got some danish oil that apparently has tung oil in it, I have applied the first coat and is looking good so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Tung oil has always worked for me (Liberon is a good brand) just a few coats, followed by a simple beeswax (no silicone contents..thats important). I also like the Warwick wax, mainly because it doesn't build quickly into a shine like a lot of furniture waxes do. Its the sanding that takes time, as I'm sure you've noticed by now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I've done 2 bodies and the second I felt was more successful as I used a wood dye to just bring the darker shade you get from wiping the wood up a bit more. I then waxed both and they look great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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