Monday, May 4, 2009

TL002 Completed Oil Finish

The TL002 Tenor Long Scale Tasmanian Blackwood ukulele has been finished with a Tru-Oil varnish. This finishing technique is applied to most MAKAIO ukuleles, as it is incredibly light and has little dampening effect on the acoustics of the instrument.

Prior to applying the oil varnish, a pore filling process was completed for the body of the ukulele, using a clear epoxy finishing resin. By filling the pores of the timber prior to applying the oil varnish, the completed finish appears significantly smoother and the body has a higher gloss. Following the application of the pore filler epoxy, the ukulele was level sanded back to bare timber, and the application of the Tru-Oil finish started. Overall the Blackwood ukulele recieved four base coats of oil (applied two coats daily), followed by a light sanding, then four finishing coats (applied one coat per day). The oil finish was then allowed to fully cure for approximately one week, followed by the application of a light wax (mixture of beeswax, carnauba wax, and silicon).


Completed oil finish on the Tasmanian Blackwood ukulele



A Tasmanian Blackwood and a Tasmanian "Tiger" Myrtle ukulele hanging to dry

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