Just got a JS6! Need advice on cleaning it up / oiling

Toadfish · #1 08-27-2009, 02:22 PM

Hi guys,

after years of wishing I'd get one one day, I got a JS6 today.

It's in pretty good condition, but could do with a little TLC.

The body could do with a little cleanup (it looks like years of ground in body sweat - nice!) and it probably could do with some oiling. I[ve never had an oiled mahogany body guitar before so have no clue on maintenance. I've had a look around online and can't find anything specific on cleaning one of these up, so any advice would be welcome!

Can any of you give some advice on how to clean one of these babies up and get it looking a little more healthy?

Cheers,
Sukh

Agent540 · #2 08-27-2009, 02:25 PM

grrr don't trust to post a pic ! grrrrr

THISTHREADISWORTHLESSWITHOUTPICS !!!!!!

Toadfish · #3 08-27-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent540

grrr don't trust to post a pic ! grrrrr

THISTHREADISWORTHLESSWITHOUTPICS !!!!!!

Easy big guy! Photo's later - just got home with it and posted this before I assault it!

Agent540 · #4 08-27-2009, 02:42 PM

I'm not big !

and I should post : " I do not manage to post a pic / animated gif ! "

my patience !

vaijem777 · #5 08-27-2009, 03:49 PM

Years ago, I had a "player" JS6 that had seen a LOT of use (sweat, gunk and other stuff, etc).

I basically took the guitar completely apart and sanded the body with #0000 Steel Wool.
Took some time, but it make the guitar look like new. I then applied a few coats of Tung oil, letting each coat dry and then buffing 'til smooth. Worked like a charm

Toadfish · #6 08-27-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaijem777

Years ago, I had a "player" JS6 that had seen a LOT of use (sweat, gunk and other stuff, etc).

I basically took the guitar completely apart and sanded the body with #0000 Steel Wool.
Took some time, but it make the guitar look like new. I then applied a few coats of Tung oil, letting each coat dry and then buffing 'til smooth. Worked like a charm

Thanks! How did it look after the Tung Oil? Was the finish any darker / lighter than before?

vaijem777 · #7 08-27-2009, 04:08 PM

It looked great after the Tung oil. Definitely lighter than when I got it, but mostly because all of the crud was removed. I only put on 3 coats of oil, so it wasn't terribly dark. No darker than a stock JS6

Toadfish · #8 08-27-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaijem777

It looked great after the Tung oil. Definitely lighter than when I got it, but mostly because all of the crud was removed. I only put on 3 coats of oil, so it wasn't terribly dark. No darker than a stock JS6

Thanks for the great tips buddy - really appreciate it.

Did you have to be particular when you sanded it (i.e. direction of grain or something), or just go wild with the wool?

I think I'm gonna try this.

Will post some 'before' pics tomorrow.

Thanks,
Sukh

vaijem777 · #9 08-27-2009, 05:14 PM

Definitely proceed with CAUTION. Remember - sanding is still removing wood, even with really fine steel wool. It's much easier to remove wood than to replace it

Take your time and make sure you sand nice & evenly. Took me a few hours to really get mine done well, but it was certainly worth it

Toadfish · #10 08-27-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaijem777

Definitely proceed with CAUTION. Remember - sanding is still removing wood, even with really fine steel wool. It's much easier to remove wood than to replace it

Take your time and make sure you sand nice & evenly. Took me a few hours to really get mine done well, but it was certainly worth it

Thanks buddy.

I can see a project coming along. Might have to hold off for 3 months or so as I try to make my way across the pond again!

Cheers,
Sukh

frantick · #11 08-29-2009, 11:18 PM

Mine had a lot of wear from my strumming hand, took a couple hours total work to mask off pick-ups, steel wool, apply some tung oil, wipe, repeat. Got plain ol' tung oil from Home Depot. And I'm no wood-worker, THAT'S for sure.

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