Question Neck care and silicone.

[cionian]

Guys,

I want to treat my Y2D neck and bought a gunstock oil called Balsin stockoil which is made in Germany. After reading the inside pamphlet it mentions that it's a silicone based formula. I don't know whether Tru-oil is the same or whether it's ok or not to apply it to the maple necks. The EBMM neck maintenance guide mentions that any good stock oil can be used. Can anyone advise?

 

[DrKev]

I would send en email to customer service first. Silicone is said to cause problems with some finishes (nitro or poly) if touch-ups or repairs are required and on wood like an EBMM unfinished neck, it may cause problems re-applying a finish later. I do not know if that's really the case or not, so ask Customer Service first.

BTW, when buying something other than B-C Tru-Oil, be sure to get "gun stock oil" - oil for the wooden parts of the gun, not "gun oil" for metal parts.

EDIT: Tru-Oil did contain silicone in the past and EBMM did recommend Tru-Oil at that time. Tru-Oil is listed in the safety sheet as 11% linseed oil, 33% "other oils", 56% parts Stoddard Solvent (white spirit). Silicone is not currently listed in the MSDS, though that is not to say that it's not included under "other oils". B-C Gunstock Wax does list silicone and we all use that quite happily. And there are threads here in the past where many people, (including myself oddly enough) say the silicone present is not a problem.

 

[cionian]

I would send en email to customer service first. Silicone is said to cause problems with some finishes (nitro or poly) if touch-ups or repairs are required and on wood like an EBMM unfinished neck, it may cause problems re-applying a finish later. I do not know if that's really the case or not, so ask Customer Service first.

BTW, when buying something other than B-C Tru-Oil, be sure to get "gun stock oil" - oil for the wooden parts of the gun, not "gun oil" for metal parts.

EDIT: Tru-Oil did contain silicone in the past and EBMM did recommend Tru-Oil at that time. Tru-Oil is listed in the safety sheet as 11% linseed oil, 33% "other oils", 56% parts Stoddard Solvent (white spirit). Silicone is not currently listed in the MSDS, though that is not to say that it's not included under "other oils". B-C Gunstock Wax does list silicone and we all use that quite happily. And there are threads here in the past where many people, (including myself oddly enough) say the silicone present is not a problem.

Thanks DrKev, written to CS. Yeah I've read a lot of contradictory opinions and am thoroughly confused as a result ..

 

[Spudmurphy]

Silicone is not a good thing to have around in a refin workshop - causes imperfections in the finish when a finish is sprayed on. Personally I don't like silicone and try to keep away from using it.
I believe that boiled linseed oil is as close as you can get to gun stock oil, but i'd get Birchwood Casey if I was you.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Having worked with the founders of Zymol (high end car wax company from Connecticut), silicone is something to be avoided at all cost. The problem with it is that it gets into the paint and there is virtually no way to remove it. In cars, it causes spots that look like water spots. The only way to remove them is to sand the car to metal and repaint.

Why any wax company uses silicone is beyond me. I don't get it.

 

[cionian]

Guys..I was referring to the neck only (unfinished maple neck treated with the stock-oil and wax only.).. I'm weary of using silicone as well but thought I'd ask first.

The other option I have is sourcing lemon, orange and pine oil and mixing them together as a replacement to stock oil; the reasoning is that natural oils can't be bad for wood..and also I'm getting some EB wonder wipes and using that on the neck as well. After that I thought I'd apply a beeswax and carnauba wax mix to protect it from dirt.

 

[alf cockle]

I*ve used Tung oil forever,and floor wax after..works very well...available at any hardware store.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Having worked with the founders of Zymol (high end car wax company from Connecticut), silicone is something to be avoided at all cost. The problem with it is that it gets into the paint and there is virtually no way to remove it. In cars, it causes spots that look like water spots. The only way to remove them is to sand the car to metal and repaint.

Why any wax company uses silicone is beyond me. I don't get it.

+1. Experienced that myself. My guitar shop mate HATES silicon and won't have it in his workshop.

 

[cionian]

I*ve used Tung oil forever,and floor wax after..works very well...available at any hardware store.

Thanks alf, I've looked around here and it's not that easy, the only tung oil I can find are in large 4 litre cans used for industry..pure tung oil that is. I have found a bee and carnauba wax mix though, the only thing I need now is some kind of conditioning material. If nothing else, I'll use wonder wipes for the back of the neck before applying the wax.

 

[cionian]

For those who care, I ended up getting some pure lemon and orange oil and applying a mix of 2:1 lemon and orange to the neck after sanding it with fine sandpaper.. Did a few coats, wiped off the excess and then applied Warwick surface finisher wax which is bee and carnauba. Next time I'll add some linseed oil as well but I'm very happy with the result.. Thanks for your advice.

 

[joe web]

lemon oil makes your maple neck darker. it´s not recommended for unfinished maple fretboards or necks - afaik

 

[cionian]

lemon oil makes your maple neck darker. it´s not recommended for unfinished maple fretboards or necks - afaik

Thanks Joe; I've applied it to a piece of scrap wood first and it hasn't made it any darker, the neck looks as it did before. If it does darken later on, I'll avoid it.

 

[edhalen]

lemon oil makes your maple neck darker. it´s not recommended for unfinished maple fretboards or necks - afaik

This is incorrect as far as EBMM is concerned as they recommend wonder wipes (which contain Lemon Oil) or Lemon Oil to clean the neck or Maple fretboard. I used 3 or 4 Wonder Wipes on my Reflex neck and fretboard yesterday and it did not change the color of the neck or fretboard at all. It did an outstanding job of cleaning the neck and board and they now look flawless.

How do I clean and maintain my Music Man neck?

 

[Tollywood]

I also use the wonder wipes on maple necks and I've not noticed any darkening. I love that stuff.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Larry]

Birchwood Casey Gun Stock wax contains silicone just FYI...

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Refinishing/Wood-Finishing/Gun-Stock-Wax.aspx