A Rubbed-Oil Finish Method for Classical Guitar

by Kevin Aram

based on his 2014 Convention workshop

Originally published in American Lutherie #127, 2014



The purpose of this article is to explain the methods I use to oil finish my guitars. It is based on the workshop I gave at the 2014 GAL Convention. The workshop itself was a tad anarchic and the transcription of the proceedings was rather rambling, so it was decided that a rewrite was the way to go.

I am not referring to a brushed-oil-varnish type of finish that you might find on a violin or cello or indeed some guitars. This is a rubbed oil finish using a Liberon Finishing Oil. This is the only product I recommend, and I understand it is widely available in the U.S. as well as here in England and elsewhere. It is made from tung oil with added driers. The people at Liberon aren’t saying any more than this. It is fairly pleasant to use (on a par with shellac) and the smell will not send you running from your workshop. If you check out the Liberon website, there is a safety sheet. The main precaution to take is to not leave any cloths that have been used to apply the oil in the workshop, as it is possible for them to self-combust. Safely dispose of them straight away.