Official Luthiers Forum!

I have been using a waterbased stain made by the Clearwater company for my hand rubbed sunbursts but it apears that they have closed up shop and the stuff is not available any longer. So I am looking for something else. I like to use the stewmac colors in the little bottles but need some way the reduce them and allow me to hand apply them. I have tried thinning with water and alcohol with less than desirable results. I use Nitro lacquer as a top coat but don't want to spray the color on. So since tru-oil is compatable with nitro, I am thinking about using it colored with the stain and rubbing that onto the wood. Has anyone else tried this? Also who is a good choice for a tru-oil supplier? TIA, John

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I have tried Tru Oil as a staining medium.  The problem with it is that it adds a yellowish color of its own that is noticeable in the color of the resulting stain.  If you're doing staining a warm color, it is probably no big deal, but it does add some yellow to the final color.

Dave

Shellac would be another option.

John, if you don't mind me asking, why do you not like spraying the color coats? I like the even color that this gives.

[QUOTE=BarryDaniels] Shellac would be another option.

John, if you don't mind me asking, why do you not like spraying the color coats? I like the even color that this gives.[/QUOTE]

I like the uneveness that rubbing gives and it allows more of the wood character to come thru as it absorbs the stain at different rates in different areas. I know that some want things nice and even but I like my results. The reason I want some sort of medium though is to keep the staining very subtle and violin like.
Thanks for your ideas guys.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Tru oil can be purchased at your local gun shop, Walmart sporting goods section, on-line at Midway USA, or Stewmac.

Al