What sort of oil?

[Scotty2Hotty]

Hi guys,
Looking through Warmoth's in stock tele's, I found these two. I understand that these two guitars are mahogany, but can anyone suggest an oil that will get me the same dark finish on a swamp ash body? From what I've seen, tru-oil on ash still has quite a light colour, and I'm looking for that dark brown. I intend on finishing the whole guitar in shellac.

Any suggestions?

 

[Scuffcakes]

Just stain the wood before the Tru-oil.

 

[Cagey]

You may be worried about nothing. Simply coating the wood with a clear finish will darken it substantially. For instance, I happen to have a naked Mahogany body here that I just wiped a swatch of with naptha...

Quite a difference, eh? If you're not familiar with naptha, think alcohol. It's as clear and thin.

If you wanted something darker or of a different shade, then my understanding is that polymerized oils won't take dye or stain very well, but you can use one of those to tint the thinner you use to dilute the oil and that'll work. Not sure why, but I've read it a number of times on the furniture finishing forums, so it seems to be an accepted truth. Doesn't mean it is, I'm just passing along what I've read.

 

[Scotty2Hotty]

Thanks guys, the Aussie version of naptha is shellite and I've got some, it doesnt make the wood as dark as I'd like it to be though. I think I'll just dye the back and sides brown and then hit it with the shellac, specially since oils seem to take so long to dry.