Finishes for tap instruments

[rjgoos]

What are the tap guitar homebrewers here using for finishes for their instruments? Anything with a less noxious, or less volatile, nature available? The reason I ask is that it has been about -20 to -30 here in North Dakota for a while, and spray painting indoors does not sound appealing to me.

Thanks,

R. Jay Goos

[Fredrik]

Hi, the luthier I'm using for my custom tapper is either using an wood oil finish, or beeswax. The oil is easy to apply with a peace of fine cloth. Be sure not to use to much (don't wet the wood) There are loads of options here, with different colours an smell. If you have no luthiers around you speak to a furniture carpenter or woodworker. The wax has to be rubbed in to work properly and takes a bit longer to apply, but it gives a nice shiny surface. It really brings out the pattern in the wood.

Fredrik

[rockola]

Originally posted by rjgoos
What are the tap guitar homebrewers here using for finishes for their instruments? Anything with a less noxious, or less volatile, nature available? The reason I ask is that it has been about -20 to -30 here in North Dakota for a while, and spray painting indoors does not sound appealing to me.

I did the neck on mine in Tru-Oil. Don't know how it will hold up when it's actually being used, but the feel is wonderful, and it's almost too easy to do: just wipe the oil on, let it dry, rub it with fine (0000) steel wool, and repeat. I think I put 6-7 coats on mine. Finally, I waxed it with beeswax, again, really simple to do. It smells a bit while it dries, but it's not overpowering, you can do it indoors. There is no law saying you couldn't do the body the same way, but I'm going to spraypaint mine.

Tru-Oil is normally used for gun stocks, so it should be available at your local rifle & shotgun store.

And as always: PRACTICE ON SCRAP FIRST!

[Fredrik]

It will work very smoothly Ola! Remember to oil it again in a years time. The oxygen will make it vaporise over time, so give it a good rub in once a year :-)