Lutherie Wax and Lemon Oil - Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag
In this episode, Robbie O’Brien talks about the uses of wax and lemon oil in lutherie.
Video Transcription
[on-screen text reads: Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag]
Mailbag question: Do you use wax in your shop, and if so, for what purpose?
Robert O'Brien: Today's Tips du Jour Mailbag question comes to us from New York. "Robert, do you use wax in your shop? And if so, for what purpose? Mike in New York."
Mike, I've used wax in my shop for a number of years. However, I was never quite satisfied with the quality of the products available to me. They were either too hard or too soft, too oily or smelled bad, or a combination of the above. So let me introduce you to O'Brien Guitars Lutherie Wax. This is a high-quality wax made from high-quality ingredients by me right here in my shop. Now, there are many uses for wax in lutherie. Let me show you a few.
Seal and protect end blocks and heel blocks
To help seal and protect end blocks and heel blocks against moisture, add a couple of coats of the wax, let it harden, and then wipe off excess and buff. It also makes them look pretty.
Protect bridges
Bridges look better with a finish rather than raw wood. However, I never spray a finish on a bridge. Using Lutherie Wax will protect the bridge and make it look nice. Apply it before attaching the bridge to the soundboard and the glue squeeze-out comes right off, making clean up a breeze.
Guitar finish
You can even use the O'Brien Guitars Lutherie Wax as a finish on the entire guitar. One of my favorite finishes is wax over shellac. You can also apply it over other types of finishes, including oils, urethanes, lacquers, et cetera. Just use some steel wool and Lutherie Wax to rub out the finish. It will help protect the finish, like shellac or oil, and makes it appealing to the eye and touch as well.
Fast necks
Players love the feel of a wax neck. Just a few passes of steel wool and Lutherie Wax makes for a super-fast neck.
Avoid breaking tuner screws
If you have ever broken the head off of a tuner screw, you know what a hassle it can be. Add a little Lutherie Wax to the screw as you install it and see how it goes easily into the wood, reducing the risk of breakage.
Protect tools from moisture and rust
I even use O'Brien Guitars Lutherie Wax on my tools. Apply a coat with a soft rag to your hand planes and chisels to keep them protected from moisture and rust. It can also be used on power tool tables and fences to keep them friction and rust free.
O'Brien Guitars Lemon Oil
So there is one area of lutherie where I don't like to use wax, and that's on the fretboard. So for that, I've developed the O'Brien Guitars Lemon Oil. There's no silicone, there's no water, there's no wax, and there's no buildup. This product will moisturize, clean, and beautify the fretboard on any instrument. So to apply the lemon oil, use a soft cloth or even a cotton ball, a little bit goes a long ways, so just apply a few drops onto the rag or cotton ball and wipe it on each fret. Let it soak in for a few minutes and then wipe off the excess. I do that at least once or twice a year as I change the strings.
So Mike, as you can see, there are quite a few uses for wax in lutherie, and I've shown you some of the things I use it for in my shop. My wife even uses it on the kitchen table and our furniture, and even the stair railings. So there's quite a few uses for this wax, and I hope you found this useful.
[on-screen text reads: More Luthier Tips and online courses available at www.obrienguitars.com. Private and small group guitar building and finishing instruction available.]
