How many coats of tru oil for a neck?

[tomjackson]

I've done 3, looks okay but should I do a few more?

Cheers
Tom

[Twinfan]

I did 3 (I think!) on mine, and it was fine.  Wez said so, so it must be true!

[FELINEGUITARS]

Good question and it depends on the kind of finish that you want ad whether you used Wire wool between each coat to knock it back

I will often do as many as 20+ coats but knock the finish back afetr every couple with 0000 grade wire wool

the last 3 or 4 coats will be left for several days or longer before smoothing back to allow it to really harden up

[tomjackson]

Thanks fellas!

Yes Feline I sand back after every coat with Liberon 0000.  I think I'll do it every other for a few more coats then leave a couple to harden at the and as you say.

I don't know what finish I'm after, thin but durable I guess.

Dave, have you had any signs of playing wear from the 3 coats on your neck?  I think I'll end up with about 10 in total.

[Philly Q]

Good question and it depends on the kind of finish that you want ad whether you used Wire wool between each coat to knock it back

I will often do as many as 20+ coats but knock the finish back afetr every couple with 0000 grade wire wool

the last 3 or 4 coats will be left for several days or longer before smoothing back to allow it to really harden up

Slightly off-topic, but on a body, would you still use wire wool?  Or would you use wet/dry paper on a sanding block to keep the finish flat?

[Twinfan]

Dave, have you had any signs of playing wear from the 3 coats on your neck?  I think I'll end up with about 10 in total.

Nope, but then it's not had serious use.  I just wanted it sealing so it still felt like raw maple - not a 'finish' as such.

[WezV]

3 coats and a rub back is a light oil finish and will show signs of playing wear eventually and may also need a little more mainetnance to keep it feeling nice, just the occasional re-oil and rub down.. its as raw a maple neck as i do.  10 coats of tru-oil is much more like a full finish

[tomjackson]

Good question and it depends on the kind of finish that you want ad whether you used Wire wool between each coat to knock it back

I will often do as many as 20+ coats but knock the finish back afetr every couple with 0000 grade wire wool

the last 3 or 4 coats will be left for several days or longer before smoothing back to allow it to really harden up

Slightly off-topic, but on a body, would you still use wire wool?  Or would you use wet/dry paper on a sanding block to keep the finish flat?

I used wire wool on mine, the finish should already be flat enough before you start using wire wool.  the 0000 grade is more of a polisher than a sander so if the finish is already flat I don't think the wire wool would change that.

the finish on my swamp ash Tele body is pretty raw and open grained though

[WezV]

oh, yeah.  i would wire wool the body too.   what tom says is spot on

for an example here is Roo's guitars with about 6 coats of tru oil going over bubinga, maple and wenge and polished out with the liberon wire wool

[Philly Q]

Thanks gents!  :D