Author Topic: Oil finish refresh - what product to use? (Read 285 times)

bassman10096 · « **on:** May 18, 2009, 02:13:16 PM »

I'm ready to reoil my Brown Bass pretty soon for the first time. I know to use a plastic (not steel wool) pad to work the oil in, protecting (or removing) pickups and hardware, etc. But what kind of oil do others who've reoiled their Alembics use? Also any other advice, tips would be appreciated. Thanks
Bill

keavin · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2009, 02:31:06 PM »

http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16531.html?1108511333

bassman10096 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2009, 04:29:24 AM »

Thanks. Anybody have any experience using Liberon's Paste Wax on an Alembic?

charles_holmes · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2009, 05:44:55 AM »

I use FORMBY'S Lemon Oil treatment. I apply an ample supply and will let it soak in overnight and clean the excess the next day. I do it 3 times per year.FORMBY'S is clear (suggested by the mothership)and it smells good too.As far as working it in I would use a regular old cloth as to avert any chance of injury to the ebony.

tdukes · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2009, 06:22:49 AM »

Are we talking about the body or the fretboard?

Todd.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2009, 11:02:24 AM »

Oil finish bodies. From the link that Keavin posted:

Oil Finishes
Brown Basses, early Series I and II guitars and basses
You shouldn't need to reoil the body, as we use a polymerized oil finish. However, you may want to wax it from time to time. We supply with a buffed wax coating of Liberon Professionals Paste Wax. The 500g tub should last you most of your life. We use a white (very fine) scotch brite to apply.

The wax will endure the little scratches, which you can buff out when you rewax. The wood is not as protected as with a hard polyester finish, so you need to be careful of course.

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2009, 04:33:47 PM »

Charles,
If you are talking about oiling the fretboard Alembic does not recommend anything other than pure lemon oil. This is not the same as Formby's Lemon Oil Treatment. All of the Formby's product I have ever seen are mineral oil based. This includes their lemon products. Formby's also has wax in a number of their oils which is not recommended for oiling necks. You can typically find pure lemon oil in the aroma therapy section of health/natural food stores. It is also called lemon essential oil or combination of the two.

For the Brown Bass body waxing should be adequate if the finish is intact. I have never oiled mine and have found and occasional waxing is all it needs.

Keith

bassman10096 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:17:27 AM »

For the record, I was asking about oil for the body - not fretboard.

As to whether waxing is sufficient for the body - I think it will be - at least mostly. What concerns me is the wear spot along the top edge (where the forearm rests - and sweats). That spot has gotten just a touch rough from continued dampness (I wipe it and my arm off constantly, but gigging in hot places causes continuing exposure - plus I guess I'm a sweaty guy.). I'm concerned that the original oiling may not have held up to the wetness and might need to be reoiled in that area (the rest of the bass just needs a wax). Any harm in just reoiling that spot? Any suggestions for a more lasting solution (eg, any oil finishes with more water-resistance?). All suggestions appreciated.

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2009, 04:31:44 PM »

If you wish to touch up an area I would use Watco Danish oil. It is a polymerized oil that I have used for other projects sucessfully. In general you want an oil that will be absorbed by the wood and harden in the pores. Personally I would stay away from linseed based oils as they can get sticky. I would also avoid mineral based oils like Formsby's as they eventually evaporate.

Keith

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2009, 05:37:08 PM »

I used Watco on a stripped down Guild Starfire decades ago and it still looks swell now.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:50:23 PM »

Sounds like Watco combines some of the good features I'd be looking for. Thanks

Enzo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:46:05 PM »

Anybody has experience with Dunlop 65 lemon oil (for fretboards) ?. It's sold in any Guitar Center.

olieoliver · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:01:04 PM »

Hi Enzo, I get my lemon oil at the local health food store. It's very inexpensive and works like a champ. In fact I believe Mica is who suggested I try a health food store.

OO

Enzo · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:21:09 PM »

Olie, thanks for the suggestion. The only concern is, as Mica stated a while back, that sometimes even if the label says 100 % pure lemon oil, is not like that.
But I guess a health food store is less likely to sell a product used for cooking, that contain wax....ouch !

keith_h · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2009, 05:12:50 AM »

Enzo,
The statement was, Not all oils that say they are lemon oil are pure oil. An example is Formby's lemon oil. It has a mineral oil base and waxes. As long as you look for pure essential oil it will be 100% lemon oil. As Olie said you should be able to find it at your local health food store. I get mine in the aroma therapy section of Whole Foods. There is also a member here who's wife sell's the oil and Bill TGO has bought some online. If you search on lemon oil you should be able to find the thread.

Keith