Watco Danish Oil

[spauldingrules]

I just got done putting 4 coats of Watco Danish Oil on my alder body - I thought I'd be good to go, but it merely seems stained and not really protected - do I need to slap a coat of poly on over this stuff?

 

[bagman67]

Danish oil is a penetrating oil and takes a LOT of applications to build anything like the film you'd get from lacquer, poly, or Tru-Oil (which, despite its name, is a polymerizing varnish more than a penetrating oil). 

 

[spauldingrules]

Got it - so am I protected enough?  I like the look as it is, I just don't want it to get all gross!

 

[bagman67]

If you're cool with the sheen, yes, you're fine.  More might afford some marginally greater level of protection, but the thing about penetrating oils is that while they are easily scuffed, they are also easily repaired.  You might want to hit it with a scotchbrite pad and add a fresh coat of oil once in a while, but yeah, you should be fine now.

 

[AirCap]

Bagman is correct. Watco oils are easily applied, maintained, and renewed. The sheen and protection is determined by how much finish is applied. Little work - little protection. Lotta work - lotta protection. You make the call, and operate the rag.

 

[weezingthejuicebodhi]

I also used Watco Danish oil on my Strat. I think I probably got ~10-12 coats on over a few days. I hit it lightly with a few coats of wipe-on poly just to be sure. Though most seem to prefer the oil finish only. I'm not particularly loyal one way or the other but I'm happy with my satin-poly top coat.