Ep 2 - How to Use Stunning Stains by Crimson Guitars - A Demonstration of the Finishing Oil

[@mvyper]

Seeing a project getting oiled is just so satisfying.

[@SHIVER-REDCAR]

Just wanted to say thank you for inspiring me to restore my old guitar using many of the techniques in your videos I now have a lovely les Paul with a natural finish that I can't put down and it was stuck in bits in my shed for 5 years. So once again thank you Ben and all the team at Crimson guitars

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

+Ian Legg Thank you, it's great to hear success stories like yours.

[@chrisfarrugia5397]

I should be practicing my guitar but I keep finding myself watching your amazing videos!!!! So interesting and informative even for a non guitar builder like me. Your one of a kind Ben ! Awesome.

[@bobthreeton6976]

Watched this series with my wife, who has been trying to decide on the finish for the guitar kit I’m building for her. Decision made! Placed my order for stain and finishing oil this morning.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Glad to help, thanks for your support! B

[@HBSuccess]

Hi Ben - actually pouring oil finishes, especially for the first few coats, is exactly the way to approach it. Once it starts to build I get a little more conservative - but those first coats need to fully penetrate. If i had enough volume to dip them in a vat of the stuff - I'd do that :-)

[@Tonetwisters]

VERY nicely done. THAT looks like a hum-dinger of a good project.

[@liljuanito123]

My cherry stain and finishing oil just arrived. Stain is easy to work with and is diluted just right. Finishing oil is amazing as soon as you put it on. Secons coat gets better. Has a nice sheen to it that makes the grain really beautiful.

[@JROC2112]

Have just finished staining my new guitar. The stunning stains are great. Looking forward to getting it oiled up.

[@kylemiller1390]

I really want to see one of these videos with the lacquer finish

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Try this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYbPaKCIftKWrLcsi=MXFPLQvDNvoReK6T

[@narbonneguitars9331]

I would love to see a guitar bass or standard with a built up finish to see more shine... The satin look you gave it. Very nice. 👍

[@skinnyweb]

Does look great for a process with specialist equipment amounting to a roll of paper. Would love to see the completed job once multiple coats applied.

[@calebmckinney3605]

A finish I would love to see from Crimson is a easy at home nitro lacquer. I have always loved the way nitro finishes age but have never come across an easy way to get that finish without spending ungodly amounts of money.

[@johnnyroastbeef84]

Nothing awesome ever comes easy or cheap.

[@WoodesosGuitarMods]

So... I guess the settles it. I'm stripping my Les Paul and doing the back and sides in this stain. I need to get to your webstore and place an order!

[@kentekent]

+Woodeso's Guitar Mods I would think twice about that. I might be ugly as fuck under the finish.

[@pregister]

+Woodeso's Guitar Mods I was thinking of doing the same thing. Suggestions on the easiest way to strip a guitar? :)

[@DanielS10291]

its real pain in the arse getting the finish off, not to mention sanding all the contours real nice, think twice before starting, but if youre dead set go for it! (i used a belt sander)

[@pregister]

I used a heat gun. Great fun. No toxic fumes at all. :)

[@anthonyclarke2076]

Not to a nitro finish Les Paul man why...

[@jd-ev6cj]

Please, please, please - implore Christopher to do a tutorial on that gorgeous ocean burst finish he did. That is probably the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen in my life. I don't like the high maintenance frets and other excessive MIDI stuff, but I LOVE that finish on that quilted wood! Pity he wasn't on camera for that build.

[@Anon-21j]

I'm dreaming of owning a custom Tele Deluxe in exactly this finish one day... With your amazing stains & oil finish aswell as something like an unfinished Warmoth body this just might be possible. Amazing stuff!

[@markmalsack598]

HEY BIG GUY LOVE IT GOT ABOUT 6 GUITARS OUT OF THE 20 THAT I'VE ASSUMED THE BUILDS ON I DID MY FIRST 5 , NEVER HAVE DONE ANYTHING LIKE A GUITAR BUILD NO EXPERIENCE BUT WATCHED YOUR VIDEOS NOW A YEAR LATER IM PUTTING OUT SOME QUALITY GUITARS . I STILL SHOP OUT A FEW THINGS BUT I'VE MADE GUITARS FOR 6 PAYING CLIENTS. SO AFTER MY INITIAL 20 BUILDS I'M ONLY IN THE HOLE ABOUT $5000BUT STILL DOING 5 BUILDS AT ONCE SEEMS TO KEEP ME BUSY AND FOCUSED ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE. MM

[@aukinotanga4530]

Wow 2x chemists to formulate it! I'm impressed. Good to mention that so we all know the degree of hard work you have going into your quality products.

[@sky-hakala]

You guys inspire me to be a luthier something i have wanted to do for a long time my uncle makes beautiful guitars. Unfortunately i live in a trailer and the only tools i have are a knife and pliers so im gonna have to wait on that. :/ i love the look and sound of every one of your guitars i have heard. You guys have a bright future

[@mikedaknight1079]

Can't wait to try these, just made an order today for water based stains

[@jackomeara3425]

Hey, I have two questions, A: Can I use this on a guitar neck, and B: Do I have to sand between coats?

[@yamahargxtt]

Yes and No

[@kennethdavid9259]

Please show the white stain. I am very interested in it. Thanks, great videos.

[@NickyGoodWolf]

+Kenneth David He sucha tease, right?

[@Alanoffer]

NickyGoodWolf Frankly , yes

[@MrBillUp]

The finish is going to be perfect for me as I have some Black Manns Wood Dye which I have had for ages that I need to use up. I am going to do my Tele body and headstock all Black and have been fretting (mind the pun) over the finish. This gives the Guitar a really nice matt look which is what I am after.

[@kade5005]

Ben, I was wondering if this oil finish will have the same frictionless feel that tru oil has on a neck, thanks.

[@yamahargxtt]

Yes its great

[@saulgoodeguitars]

I'm glad I chose the cherry red for an upcoming 175 build🤘🏿

[@liljuanito123]

Saul Goode how did it turn out?

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Ben . looks like it works well . do you have a video showing how many coats and the do you buff it after the coats. i did see you use the paper towels and rub it down i am guessing that was like a fine sanding between coats ?

[@LINE4RR]

Wonderful video and wonderful finishing oil!

[@shanesmith8907]

Great stuff on this channel, been learning a lot from y'all! Rock onnnnn!

[@jameslewis2635]

That guitar started looking so much better once you started applying the oil. I personally would prefer a darker base stain. Can you mix this stain to get a darker finish or is there another technique you would use?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

The stains are all totally compatible with each other, you can mix them all to get exactly what you want and also dilute as well.. Thanks for watching :)

[@tunnel7]

Just started using this oil fingers crossed look ok after two coats just a bit tacky on back of neck but not fully cured yet, see what its like after 5 or 6 coats and leave fully cure.

Ben, would the oil seal a maple neck instead of using a clear coat, or would dirt still build up in the top layer?

[@ashely5720]

looking good ben. are your stains compatible with other finishes like acrylic or poly 2k clearcoats ect. also if you get the chance. can you do a video of the amber stain on maple and possibly brown on a softer wood please. thanks Ash

[@theRealMadHatter]

How did I miss these videos, lol, I'm in the middle of refinishing a guitar, and have been damn near tearing my hair out looking for the materials.

[@philgodfrey877]

Firstly thank you Ben and all your team, really good work. I look forward to each and every video, educational and entertaining, ideal mix 😀. I would personally like to see the stains from your range shown on wood to get an idea of colour. I know the colour will vary depending on wood and other factors, but to get a rough idea. I'm about to buy some stain and finishing oil from your website and really can't decide which direction to go colour wise. I hope this is possible at some point. Thank you again! 🎸

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I'll have talitha put the pics up tomorrow.. I'm surprised they're not there already, my bad! Thank you for your support!

[@philgodfrey877]

+Crimson Custom Guitars Superb, thank you very much! 😀

[@adrianpollard2763]

Hi, fellas. I've been using your Stunning Stains. Excellent product. Is there a high gloss lacquer I could use over the top for a really deep shine?

[@M5guitar1]

This is a stunningly simple and outstanding finishing process. I'm hoping to give it a shot. What color is best for Butterscotch Blonde?

[@petieboy]

Frankly... Great videos. Thank you so much, exactly what I needed

[@johnroberts838]

Brilliant Video, Thank you. Melbourne, Australia.

[@brianhearn5090]

Bill Hearn. Hi Ben I am just bought a used strat body and aim to renovate, I have just watched your video and I like the idea of staining, thefinish you got was very nice but I am wondering if I could infact apply a wax polish to obtain a reasonable sheen to the body or would I get a reaction. Hoping you can advise. Regards Bill.

[@MusicMike939]

I would really like to see the results after many more coats of stain. I can't believe that blue guitar that Toby demod was just finishing oil finish.

[@adammckay4027]

I have recently built a tele and finished with a minwax stain. I liked the look so much, I just left it like that. Can you get away with simply staining a guitar? What are some of the problems I might run into? I really prefer the wood feel on the neck, so want to try and avoid any finish that will take that away. Any suggestions? Keep up the good work.

[@zik228]

I don't know if you got an answer to this, but there's two obvious issues with not applying a finishing coat. The first is that the stain will wear off quicker than with a finishing coat because stain is usually relatively thin, but they do make stains with a finishing product mixed in. The second is that unfinished stains tend to seep out with fluctuations in the weather, so the wood will become tacky feeling and will stain clothes. Usually that happens in higher humidity, but it's usually unheard of to leave wood unfinished.

[@nojyeloot]

Could I get a similar finish with just the Tru oil that I already have? Love your videos, thanks for the info.

[@auratnik]

Yes you do, just mix it with the white spirit and it will penetrate to the wood better.

[@whiskyboy1977]

I'm looking to finish quilted maple topped guitar with a mahogany body using your stains and finishing oil. Only the maple will be stained, then the whole body finished. Do I need to use grain filler on the mahogany before the oil? Also, the body is bound, is this something to worry about or should i just scrape the binding after finishing? thanks

[@michaelmckenney7214]

Any thoughts to supplying a “sampler” package with an assortment of popular colors in smaller bottles?

[@paintbox48]

Great video as usual. I was very interested seeing the finished result as I thought the initial staining was far too orange for Cherry Red - I still think the result is still a little too orange, but I guess it depends on wood type, and how many coats of stain are applied. Lovely finish though. Cheers.

[@masterharkonnen3045]

What type of silica paper is being used to apply the finish? I can't find anything that seems remotely similar online anywhere.

[@Stratocaster893]

I think its just ordinary paper towel. Which I believe has clay in it which may have trace amounts of silica in it. Just the natural stuff that you have in paper. Remember how your mum would get angry if you used her fabric scissors on paper? Thats why cause most paper has trace amounts of abrasives in it that will dull scissors which I think is what Ben is taking advantage of here.

[@mattmiddleton1162]

Can you get a high gloss finish from this like I would with tru oil?

[@billroosa5802]

Will you apply a clear coat at the end or is the oil enough to protect the wood? Thanks. Great video.

[@despitesteve]

I know this video is seven years old, but on the website now there are 4 different finish oils. This one used, which one is it? Many thanks!

[@jameywylie4361]

I am loving the videos! Thanks so much. Could you put a clear coat on a stained guitar?

[@9642SM7]

I saw a guitar with magnets instead of screws to hold the back electronics plate. I know that wood is your passion from watching alot of your videos but would the magnets affect the electronics in anyway? thank you for all your sharing of information.

[@BingoBabyO]

I found you looking for ways to properly darken Pau Ferro fretboards… do you have a video of someone doing that? Might be a good one to make!

[@PaulGalvinPhoto]

the neck is pink.. ? maybe add a drop of black?

[@jonq8714]

Is there a pigment to the stain? I have your stunning stains in the white color and would like to know.

[@edrosenquist6541]

Ben!!! Crimson Guitar videos are highly adictive! I know this is an old video but I'm hoping you read these. I just discovered you guys. Anyway, I've ordered your finishing oil with some stains. Black and red. I'm applying this to an SG body shape with a spalted maple top that I've put together. My idea is to dob the black around the edges, barley going past the SGs bevels. Then apply the red. How many coats of red need to be applied before I get a deeper red color? Thanks. Your videos really are my favorite. Blessings to you and your family!!!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Just keep going until you have the colour you nees. If you really want a very deep colour you should look at the Vibrant Shots and do not dilute very much, or try it neat. www.crimsonguitars.com/collections/guitar-finishing/products/new-stunning-stain-shots-pastel-vibrant

[@billyadam8559]

Hi Ben , have ordered some cherry red and yellow stains (want to do a burst one a tele) and am looking at getting some finishing oil. Would you use oil on the neck and could you get a "satin" finish /feel?

[@maxpind4891]

Ben, thanks so much for the incredibly helpful videos! Question: is it possible to do PRS style "masked-off" binding with dye or stain like this? or with the product simply bleed/seep under the tape and create a blotchy, jagged mess?

[@buakawfan333]

Hi, could I then put some kind of poly on top of it? Or does the oil do the same? Sorry I'm new to this and getting ideas for a school project. Great channel btw.

[@thespanielinquisition7167]

2 chemists worked 6 month to create wiping varnishing? Its one part boiled linseed oil, one part spirits and one part spirit varnish - I've been a woodworker long enough to recognise wiping varnish AKA Danish Oil. For a finer finish add more spirit and less varnish.

[@kennerbartos7692]

Would this require sanding between coats? or is it fairly straightforward?

[@mitchelllittle6472]

Interesting product Ben and a lovely finish too. Would this product be ok for classical/ steel string acoustic applications ?These are the guitars I make, no bother with the the rosewood sides and mahogany necks, as these are easy to finish to a high standard, but what about the spruce/pine tops ?Would welcome your thoughts on this, thank you.Cheers,Midge.

[@marcuscarrozza732]

Hello, I really like Crimson Guitars and your instructional videos. what would like to know is, I have a Epiphone SG G-400 (similar to the instrument in this video). it is ebony in color. I want to strip the color off of the face of the guitar and it's neck and do a worn type finish on it, but leave the Black color only on the sides, and back, and head stock of the guitar. can you please give me some advise. thank you

[@stuartgrier5605]

I am very interested in oil on a guitar. I have built a couple of strars which are brilliant, but one think I have problems with is the finish. Can I ask a couple of questions - 1. Can you apply oil over a painted guitar - aerosol cans (car paint with primer) or does it only work with stains which keep the wood grain open? Cheers. Stuart

[@Puciferthegreat]

need some slider tests of the dyes on different woods, need halp deciding what to get

[@masterharkonnen3045]

Do you need to scuff up the finish before applying additional coats? If so, what grit paper should be used? And how does wet-sanding apply in this case, if at all?

[@gerggbergr8976]

Hey I'm a bit late to the gig here but would you recommend your products on a spalted top?thanks I dig your videos you got me into this many years ago .

[@Astat18]

I love oil finish awesome work

[@LRBerry]

I have a question but not about the stains and oil. What are the three large bladed tools with the long handles on the tool rack at the back?

[@Harvest1966]

I don't know if you noticed, but you got a bunch of oil in the bridge pickup cavity!!!

[@russouk]

im doing same guitar as you ive left mine bare grain and looks good do you reckon 1 or 2 diluted coats 1st ,i was going to fine sand 2nd coat on before undiluted coats. thnx

[@tyrssen1]

I've used lots of Tru-Oil on gunstocks, of course, and with that stuff, to get a bit of a shine, it gets rubbed out (with rottenstone, for us geezers.) Would you recommend a similar process to bring your oil up to a shiny finish?

[@evesmith3057]

If i wanted to do some pyrography and burn some designs into my guitar, how would the guitar oil and even the stains react with the burn markings? Do you think it would be okay to do that? Or not really?

[@alechinaglia224]

Hi dear. If i use this oil can i spray nitro clear coat to glossy it or the oil is enough? Thx inadvance

[@PaulSmith-xh2ex]

Quality, love oiled finish.

[@nickparkin8527]

Do you put the binding on the body before or after you apply the stain and oil? I'm assuming before right?

[@Arryhall]

That's a very nicely finished guitar! I just have a couple questions before pull the trigger and buy oil that may be of no use to me! I want a matt finish on a matt black guitar and wondered if this oil would work as well as lacquer on paint as oppose to stain, or is it better to just stick to the spray on lacquer? Also, I have scolloped a neck (just for a laugh) and now need to seal it. Is this oil a good choice for the neck including fretboard, or would I be better off using a different finish on the rosewood? Thanks Ben, I have spent so much time watching all your vids in random orders, I could have built several guitars by now! :-)

[@amazonquest2012]

can you sand and seal the guitar before stain and oil, I have purchased your oil, I will now look at your stain colours.

[@MindFullCheeseburger]

i got a gibson worn brown faded if i sanded it with 0000 steel wool and rub some cherry staind will this work out well? i kinda want a more cherry faded vintage worn look

[@joebigwood7605]

Hey Ben, could you possibly show us those white and faded blue stains? I've been wanting someone to make both of those for longer than I can remember...

[@nothingsworking]

Can you show us the other stain colors, please? Like blue, green, purple? I want to build a purple stained flamed maple top telly in the future but finding a piece of "perfect" flamed maple in the EU seems impossible to me. Northridgehardwoods has some really nice pieces but its quite expensive especially with shipping. Or you can't get it cheaper anywhere?

[@KingBlonde]

Did you rub the excess oil off with a tissue or a light grade wet and dry sandpaper?

[@florascent9ts]

Greetings from 'merikkkuh! I have a question: if I wanted to produce a lavender, one-off, do you recommend purchasing red, blue, and white to mix it myself or could a lavender color be made from purple and white? In either case I think I'd go all out and get that oil, it looks lit. Also, how is the guitar kit idea coming?

[@musicbill]

Is this the High build guitar finishing oil? How many coats would I apply for a gloss coat?

[@tomFisher_mont]

If the true oil / your oil builds up after the first layer or so; with a porous wood like mahogany or cedar - do you still need to fill grain before applying? Not used oils before.

[@johnnypk1963]

Hey ben. Ive used a popular wipe-on poly over an alcohol/transtint & water/transtint stained tops and found that my applicator picked up way too stain, to the point that it seriously changed the top color. Sanded down and started over. How do i avoid such problems, when using a wipe-on product? Also, what causes your CG oil to avoid this 'bleeding problem'? I'd like to order some of your CG oil but shipping to the states can be cost prohibitive.

[@mezaunramjohn-arnone5142]

Question: After applying the oil coats to the finish and allowing a suitable cure time can you put a gloss (like a nitro-cellulose) on top of that for a glass like effect?

[@andyg3]

hey ben. whats your experience on removing finished. especially those with binding. i have a washburn hb30 in red poly. but want to make it nitro black. cheers!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Fire, well.. , hot air gun really and be very very careful around the binding.. Mask and extraction/ventilation a must!

[@karlboman]

How is the durability and physical resilience like of this finish compared to more "conventional" ones like nitrocellulose and poly? I'm considering a future sanding down and refinishing of the neck on my current main instrument to make it less shiny and sticky

[@andrewspitzer]

Would you use this with a clear coat/lacquer or instead of one?

[@Nym1a]

Lol this is a late answer.. But it is instead of a lacquer finish, that wouldn't stick well on the oil. This protects from water and some wear just fine!

[@randomdude93-93]

Do you apply something else on top to make a shinier gloss?

[@klausscharlipp6501]

Do you have stain color suggestion for beautiful figured pear wood?

[@DanielS10291]

I just purchased the oil for my project, i have no idea what i'm doing tbh - removed the finish from an old bass i had lying around and have removed the frets, is the oil only intended as a finish for the body? I have no idea what i should use to seal the neck, especially as i used wood filler to fill the frets, i should probably protect it somehow should i not? also I'm replacing the cheap P/J pup configuration with two good quality fender jazz bass pups and have routed it to fit, do you guys do custom pickguards by any chance?

[@DevinJuularValentine]

Hey Ben, is it possible to build up a glossy finish with this oil over many coats as you would with Tru Oil?

[@bradshannon862]

Looks fantastic! Can I use it over Shou sugi ban?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you. Yes you can, though obviously the effect will be more subtle

[@phenomZP]

Hello, how to paint guitar, so you can't see wood ? I mean like you cant see thru laquer, just good solid color?

[@neil.HobbyPositive]

will this buff up to a flat mirror like finish like a nitro or urethane finish, also can it be applied to a guitar that has had a spirit based grain filler and spirit based stain?

[@brianellis7228]

Would you recommend putting a couple of coats of wipe on poly over finishing oil, if yes after how long. Brian

[@brokerolla]

How does this compare to Minwax Antique Oil, which is a really great alternative to Birchwood-Casey Tru Oil and and also used by makers of fine gun stocks?

[@redjacket8499]

What is the difference between your stunning stains and stunning spirit stains?

[@emmsone]

This would be cool to use on the top of a old acoustic i want to stain blue and refinish, the question is, how well would a bridge that will be glued on bind to a top finished in this oil?

[@kevincrawford9677]

Can you add a clearcoat over your new formulation, and what would be compatible with it?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Please email [e-mail] with this query. Happy Holiday!