High Gloss Tru-Oil trick

A short video on how I achieve a high gloss using Tru- Oil.

[jamesreaves]

I've been a Professional Restoration, Finishing & Painting Contractor since 1980, the Summer I Graduated High School. I used to help my Dad & Grandad from 12 years old onwards and I've used just about every kind of Coating there is. I'd like to make a few suggestions to help you. First use VM&P Napthia (Varnish Makers & Painters) instead of Mineral Spirits. (Paint Thinner) Napthia is also known as Lighter Fluid such as Ronsonol or Zippo, Coleman Camping Fuel or White Gas (not Gasoline) but VM&P is the best because it's a little cleaner/higher grade. VM&P Napthia will mix in better, your Tru-Oil will set (tack) up quicker, dry faster and cure out a little harder plus being a much higher grade Solvent than Mineral Spirits it will increase the shine. Always measure and stir it in (don't whip, it'll add air bubbles) whatever Solvent you use to thin the Finish you're using. This way you can easily replicate it and you'll have consistently from batch to batch. Try 3 Tablespoons of Tru-Oil & 1/2 Tablespoon of VM&P. If that's too thick add another 1/2 Tablespoon of VM&P. Keep adding VM&P 1/2 at the time until you've got the desired viscosity. Once you've got your ratios down you can replicate the excact same formula over and and your finish will be perfect and consistent. You can make larger batches by using a Shot Glass in the same ratio. If You have a some Baby Food Jars with a good Rubber Seal in their lids. You can mix up a jar full at the time if you have 2-3 Guitars to finish. Even if you don't mix a jar full you can keep your leftovers in a Baby Food Jar. Also it's really best to use your thinned Tru-Oil for your First Coat because it will Soak in and Penetrate Deeper. This will Bond & Seal your Wood better. It won't hurt to use your thinned Tru-Oil for all your Coats, you may find you like this better. The Best Sealer is Zinsser Seal-Coat. It's a 100% wax free Shellac compable under all Clear Finishes, even Hot Solvent Finishes like Lacquer and 2 part Epoxies and Alphatic Urethane. If you Seal your Wood with Zinsser Seal-Coat Your Tru-Oil, Polyurethane, Lacquer, etc. will have greater "Enamel Holdout" (higher gloss/sheen) plus all your Top Coats lay down and smooth out better. Lastly put a little Cyanoacrylate (Super) Glue on the little Cardboard/Paper Seal that comes in your Tru-Oil's Top to keep it in place and store it upside down. This will keep it Fresh longer and if it Skins or Scabs over this Will be on the bottom when you turn it right side up. Hope this Helps you. look for Jimmy Reaves (no picture) on Facebook. I'll send you my email and help you all I can.
God Bless You &
Your Family.
Jimmy in NC....

[JohnSims]

I tried this on my final coats on my maple lap steel, and WOW! Amazing! After sanding the previous tru oil coats with 3000 grit, I tried your method and it's absolutely like glass! THANK YOU PAL!

[tonybarnes]

I am new to Tru oil and look forward to trying your technique ... thank you for taking the trouble to pass on your wisdom! :)

[rushu]

Jump from 2:51 to 4:18 and see the difference, nice job
.True Oil is great, good trick with mineral spirits, nice gloss

[mattedwards]

I have never used Tru-Oil ? I like Danish Oil. You and I have one thing in common that is how we apply our finish! I don't use shop towels . I use napkins and like you get an excellent finish after mutiple coats! I am to old to change my ways but I can tell you have a good method!

[DavidHalpern]

Wow! This is a game changer. I followed your directions, even including using a blue shop towel, and my results have been fantastik!! I was planning on buffing this out but I honestly don’t think it needs it. Thanks so much for teaching this to me!

[jimmygrant]

Great advice. I'll try this for finishing my next guitar build.

[brockedandloaded]

Dude. I'm doing a muzzleloader stock with my son and this cutting trick saved me. I let the first coat dry for 2 days and it was still wet. 95 degrees outside and no humidity. I wiped all that off with mineral spirits and started cutting it with MS like you're doing. It started drying in a couple hours and even 30 minutes sometimes. I'm on about 15 coats right now and it's looking killer man! Thank you.

[fredericklchipkin]

Your video & comments below were very very helpfull!

[markr.]

Good video. I'll give it a try. I never thought of using blue shop towels. Thanks for your knowledge.

[billhodges]

I used your "trick" and my rifle stock is smooth as a baby's butt and a mirror finish, an exhibition grade claro walnut

[johnroberts]

Excellent Video, thank you and you to your Viewers comments, The Guitar Community is the Best, people helping others with advice 👍
Melbourne, Australia.

[pskemster]

Totally looks killer! Thanks for sharing!

[garyrice]

Good, wish I’d known about this much sooner. Just put a couple coats on a gunstock, it works great!!

[markdangerfield]

I didn't believe this would work, but it did, holy sh#t it worked thanks for this trick man and all the best to you .

[jondufour]

I tried this thinning trick with tru oil today on the maple top of my BYO LP kit and a couple hours later the amount of gloss I'm getting is really incredible!!

[jeffs.]

I heard coffee filters work for applying the Tru Oil to reduce any extra lint & such from coming off.

[dartman]

Great tip! I'm just about ready to start using some Tru Oil and this will help!👍😎🎸🎶

[qqkk]

Tru-oil is nothing more then Stand oil with Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits).
What's Stand oil?
Stand oil is linseed oil placed in a vacuum and heated to approximately 500°+ for an extended period of time. It's thick, more clear and dries unlike any other linseed product – it doesn't yellow with age. It’s not to be confused with any other linseed products like raw or boiled linseed oil. It's been used by artists for years and is available online or at good art supply stores, I’m an art conservator and have been using it for years – it's less expensive then Tru-oil. Unfortunately, so many people have been snowed by big companies and their "proprietary formulas."

[Nugmania]

Good tip, how many coats did you do before you applied the tru oil with the mineral spirits? Thanks