Crimson Guitars oils experience/advice?

imalrightjack

Hi,

I’ve stripped the top of a guitar that was finished in wax, very much a French polish finish. I’ve applied three coats of Crimson Guitars’ black stain and it’s looking good. Next to oil. I bought the penetrating oil and high finish oils. 

Can anybody advise on their experiences? Based on a rather brusque phone I think it was three coats of penetrating oil with a few hours between, after each leaving it ten and giving it a good rub down with a cloth. Then, I think, four or five applications of the high oil, leaving maybe a day apart. The guy wasn’t really keen to help and clearly wanted me off the phone!

Interested to know how people have got on, tips, etc.  

paulnb57

As much as I utterly detest the owner, I would suggest Crimson Stunning Stains and Finishing Oil...

imalrightjack

Haha, thanks, @paulnb57 - I won't ask

imalrightjack

paulnb57 said:

As much as I utterly detest the owner, I would suggest Crimson Stunning Stains and Finishing Oil...

Edited, in line with a purchase, as suggested by @paulnb57 ;

paulnb57

The stains and oils are as good as anything else out there, the stains have good colour saturation, the oils work well but you MUST follow the instructions to the letter.....you must apply the oil and remove the excess, failure to do so results in a finish that doesn't harden, do it properly and its great, don’t try and lather the oil on to get a quick deep finish, it just will not work, patience is key. It an easy way to get a good finish...

imalrightjack

@paulnb57 What is your preferred technique for removing the excess oil?

paulnb57

The paper towel he uses looks like kitchen roll but isn’t..kitchen roll disintegrates and leaves white bits in your finish...I would use a piece of an old t shirt.....and a new piece for each coat...

https://youtu.be/vUY657S6MwU

imalrightjack

That’s what I was planning, so that’s good! Thanks

entee

I used Stunning Stains on my BillyBo build and the finish was epic.  Easy to apply, BUT make sure you take the layers slowly to get the colour and finish you want.

imalrightjack

@entee ;

I might have rushed but found very little consistent advice between videos, the instructions and the selling page:

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/191579/oil-finishing-advice?new=1

entee

My build and subsequent staining is here ...  https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/101916/ngd-graick-2312-tvr-photo-heavy#latest

whilst the photos are here ...  https://www.flickr.com/photos/25891924@N08/albums/72157661232000888

Doesn't look to much wrong with yours 

rjb2679

I've been using them recently on a knackered old broken body or 2, fun and I think it turned out okay (last couple of posts/links).

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/166627/1st-go-at-guitar-building#latest

I used cut up t-shirts for application, sanding back, restaining loads which you can see, just be careful to use seperate rags for blending if doing something like a sunburst, don't pull the colours in too much. You need a good body to start with though really, unlike the one im practicing on. 

imalrightjack

Wow, @entee and @rjb2679 - nice work!

Am I rushing mine?  I'm not sure when or if to apply more high finish.  When I spoke to them on the phone, it was suggested that, I think, 4-6 coats of high finish over a few hours a time.  I guess I'm concerned it won't cure.  It feels nice enough now, only four hours on, smooth and dry.

rjb2679

I was reading some luthiers would put like 10-12 coats of oil on theirs over a month (i did a quick play with some raw linseed oil in the thread but haven't oiled mine yet after finish, min 24hrs between coats on the bottle).

I did a few layers on bare to see, the more were added the more pronounced the grains were, so I'll be putting plenty on when done.

Flickr app is rubbish, dont know if you can see this, 1st coat only;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/186175450@N06/50278298341/in/dateposted-public/

imalrightjack

Looks great, @rjb2679 - I'm not sure whether to keep going or not, or when to do another coat - and if so whether to use more wet and dry

imalrightjack

Well, I decided to do one more coat of high finishing oil with 2,000 grit, as I presumed it would be safer. It left a lot of scratches, which was frustrating. So I used 0000 wire wool to take it back a bit and have re-oiled (quite thin layers, heavily buffed within 15 minutes) twice. I think I’m happy and will do one more layer before reassembly tomorrow. 

paulnb57

Looks great!

imalrightjack

Thanks, @paulnb57 ;

Is it usual to apply something post-oiling? Or is polish okay?

Jazzthat

It looks great!

paulnb57

Ive never used polish...

Kalimna

Oil on its own should be ok.