Re: Fixing ding in Tru Oil finish?
I'm really not sure Steve's approach would work. Sure, on lacquer that's great. But this isn't lacquer. Tru Oil is linseed oil with mineral spirits and some other oils. It just won't build up like lacquer. That's one of the advantages of lacquer, it's reoaiability, and a disadvantage of Tru Oil.
You could try a drop fill with shellac. It will build up and would probably stick to the Tru Oil, which many things wouldn't. It should be a thick cut of shellac, or put some in an open jar and let it evaporate some to a thicker working consistency so it will stay where you put it. Then build it up higher than the surrounding surface, then use a single edge razor blade ( with Scotch tape over the cutting edge except for 1 spot the exact size of the ding. This protects the surrounding finish) to scape the repair down. Then spot sand down until level and the gloss you want. Maybe gradually down to Micro Mesh 4000 to match the sheen of Tru Oil. Or go even finer if you please. You can rub down the entire top to the same sheen to help hide it, and at that point one or two additional coats of Tru Oil over the whole top may improve things even more. I highly doubt the repair will ever be completely invisible no matter what you do. Hopefully you made this instrument for your own use and not to sell. Good luck?
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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