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dstockden

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
764
Location
England
I couldnt find this info!
Does anyone no what a suitable substitue is for the Murphy's Oil bit for re doing the neck? I have got the Tru Oil and Wax but cant find the Murphy's anywhere here (UK)
is sugar soap a viable alternative? something else?
I guess i whould be looking for something thats not going to be harsh like meths! r am i!?
Im completely rubbish at such matters so any suggestions gratefully recieved!
Any UKers recommend anything from the realms of B&Q or the like?

cheers
david
 

Spudmurphy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
12,037
Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
I couldnt find this info!
Does anyone no what a suitable substitue is for the Murphy's Oil bit for re doing the neck? I have got the Tru Oil and Wax but cant find the Murphy's anywhere here (UK)
is sugar soap a viable alternative? something else?
I guess i whould be looking for something thats not going to be harsh like meths! r am i!?
Im completely rubbish at such matters so any suggestions gratefully recieved!
Any UKers recommend anything from the realms of B&Q or the like?

cheers
david

David
Just killing some time before I get picked up to go back to Scotland, and I did some research (well my name is Murphy after all!!)
I can't get a hit for it in the UK but it is made by Colgate to whom I have sent an E mail asking if it can be obtained in the UK.
I'll be back next Friday and by then I should have an answer.
Spud
 

candid_x

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Joined
Jun 26, 2006
Messages
3,272
Murphy's is easier/gentler on wood than non-oil based soaps, but so long as you don't saturate the neck with water, a little dish detergent and warm water on a washcloth or towel will clean the gunk off the neck just as well. Just be sure to dry it quickly and thoroughly asap. If the soapy towel doesn't reach all the dirt, use 0000 steel wool to get to the rest. Then you can apply the Tru-Oil or similar hardening oil, following normal procedure.

I stopped using the wax as a follow up to the oil, since the (hardening) oil is what does most of the work and provides the most enduring protection to the wood.
 

Spudmurphy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
12,037
Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cheers Candid - I stopped using the wax too and only use the oil - it did make the neck look nice but It no longer felt the way it came from the factory.
 

candid_x

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Joined
Jun 26, 2006
Messages
3,272
Cheers Candid - I stopped using the wax too and only use the oil - it did make the neck look nice but It no longer felt the way it came from the factory.

Howdy, Spud. I understand the factory uses wax. Guessing you already knew that. But, yes, I too prefer a non-waxy feeling neck. I'm sure the wax adds additional protection (as well as luster), but I'm not confident it sticks around all that long. The Tru-Oil, on the other hand, is tru-ly great stuff for the long haul.

I remember the first time I ever worked with Tru-Oil. I inherited an old Marlin 22 from my father-in-law, and I wanted to restore it. Having zero experience with wood finishing back then, I lucked out on some Tru-Oil. I babied that little rifle for some 35 years, and passed it on to by eldest son, as a family heirloom. The stock on that thing just got better with age. 'Course it didn't get near the wear that our guitar necks get, but the stuff does hold up very well over time, if simply kept clean and dry.

I've found that buffing the neck well with a micro-fabric towel (as found in the auto-care dept) after playing, brings back the shine, too. And the feel the neck is just the best.

Another great thing about Tru-Oil is, you don't have to completely remove the old oil finish. You just clean it and reapply it, and it's as good as new.
 

candid_x

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Joined
Jun 26, 2006
Messages
3,272
Spud, do you sand yours down before oiling? (jeeze, that sounds masochistic)
 

Spudmurphy

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Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
12,037
Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
^
You know when you have found the perfect guitar - I have !!

Just wish I'd had it back in '73 instead of my Les Paul.
Buying the BCB was a big gamble for me - because I had never seen one in the flesh.
Buying the AL was a gamble too insofar I had only tried one for literally a few minutes!!

Just a message to any lurkers thinking about getting an AL (or any EB for that!!)
- "YA WON'T BE SORRY" !!!
 
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