I’ve only used it on necks. I love it. Especially with a dark pore filler underneath.
I wouldn’t use it on a body for a customer unless they asked for it specifically. It offers no protection.
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| Author: | bcombs510 [ Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Hard wax finishes |
Hi folks, I’ve been using Osmo PolyX for necks on the last 8 or so instruments and really like it. If you decide to try it, House Guitars has a nice tutorial on YouTube for applying it. I thought you might like this video, it’s a nice overview of several brands with test results. https://youtu.be/9xSJpkU-hsg?si=_dcZn682kSjxJnz4 Brad Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | Mark Mc [ Sun Mar 30, 2025 8:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
Thanks Brad. I learned quite a lot from that video. I have been using hard wax oil as a finish on my last couple of instruments, as well as on other woodworking projects. I see a lot of advantages, as long as you are not trying to sell instruments to a traditional market where customers want wooden objects to be shiny and smooth. I notice that you say you are using it on necks - but not on instrument bodies? What are your thoughts on that distinction? |
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| Author: | GregHolmberg [ Sun Mar 30, 2025 8:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
Brad, thanks for the link. I have no experience with these hard wax finishes. Have you considered using their recipe of beeswax, carnauba, urethane, mineral spirits, and linseed oil? I wonder if it would be good on a Sitka top? Would it affect the sustain or volume? Greg |
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| Author: | bobgramann [ Sun Mar 30, 2025 9:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
I had a customer who specified Tried and True for his guitar. He had chemical sensitivities that precluded a hardening finish. It came out pretty well. Of course, it wouldn’t shine. I don’t think it harmed the tone at all. There was so little of it on the surfaces that I don’t think there was any damping. That said, the surfaces were pretty soft—soft as wood—after finishing, so that guitar will require careful handling. Scratching the spruce was easy. I have had no further communication since delivery, so I don’t know how it is holding up. I don’t expect that the neck will hold up to sweaty hands as well as a hardened finish. When I first started building, I tried a bunch of different finishes on necks to see what would stand up to handling. The oil-based ones—varnish and its relatives—didn’t do very well. I do like a smooth, slick finish on a neck. (I usually polish my necks with bronze wool and leave them short of a shine (EM6000 cross-linked)). The Tried and True felt pretty nice and might work better on a cherry or maple neck without pores than on a mahogany one where moisture can get caught in the pores. |
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| Author: | bcombs510 [ Sun Mar 30, 2025 11:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
I’ve only used it on necks. I love it. Especially with a dark pore filler underneath. I wouldn’t use it on a body for a customer unless they asked for it specifically. It offers no protection. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Mon Mar 31, 2025 9:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
I love the way it looks and it’s really fast under hand. I use the satin, not the mat. |
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| Author: | mike-p [ Mon Mar 31, 2025 1:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
I was going to try the poly osmo on a whole guitar instead of tru oil, I'm hoping for a similar effect with more protection and less effort. I'm being over optimistic aren't I.. |
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| Author: | dofthesea [ Mon Mar 31, 2025 3:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
Brad what pore filler did you use on that neck in pic? |
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| Author: | bcombs510 [ Mon Mar 31, 2025 3:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Hard wax finishes |
dofthesea wrote: Brad what pore filler did you use on that neck in pic? This one, the ebony. https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-a ... b9858dbd16 A little goes a long way and the vintage look is cool I think. Bob Gramann recommended it to me. Brad Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Tue Apr 01, 2025 7:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard wax finishes |
I use the Osmo Poly Silk 3032 on necks, lovely feel. I use 3 coats over the Osmo 1101. |
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