BLO vs Watco Teak Oil

[tigerwoodKhorns]

I have been using DEFT clear gloss on various speakers that I am restoring, but I have a pair of JBLs with an original teak finish that I want to keep original. 

 

JBL's very old literature says to use 1 part BLO and 1 part Gum Turpentine.  I have BLO and Mineral spirits in the garage and can use that.

 

But time has moved on and I am assuming that Watco Teak Oil is the way to go.  Just buy it an apply.  But they only have it in matte at the Home Depot.

 

I also need to say that I live in the desert and these speakers have not been piled in many year.  Maybe never, I don't know. 

 

What should I do? 

[Budman]

piled ? 😁

[tigerwoodKhorns]

16 minutes ago, Budman said:

piled ? 😁

Think of the Larry David episode where his aunts obituary put a 'c' in place of the 'a.'  She was a ______ to all of us....🤣

 

Now come on watco or not for these  fine speakers. 

[314carpenter]

Time has little effect on wood finishing techniques. Resin derived from Indian Lac bugs has been used for 1000's of years. Waxes have been used for many 100's. No need to reinvent the wheel. I understand the desire of audiophiles to always chase the dragon, but wood is wood. When it comes to wood finishing, encouraging others to deviate from the status quo just isn't being very helpful. 

 

Highly recommended reading material list below

 

First, from the foremost recommended and prolific author

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y5VK3ZG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

 

Here are the official publications, in PDF, the OP was referring to. Read all of link #1, and only pages 23-24 of link #2.

 

Link #1

https://www.cieri.net/Documenti/JBL/Documenti tecnici/JBL - Maintaining JBL Furniture Finishes (1969).pdf

 

Link #2

https://www.cieri.net/Documenti/JBL/Documenti tecnici/JBL - Enclosure Information Manual (1979).pdf

 

Here are a few of my teak JBL Loudspeakers ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Invidiosulus]

The Watco teak oil finish is BLO with added anti fungal and anti UV ingredients making it suitable for use outdoors in environments which will see moisture.

[tigerwoodKhorns]

314 - Thank you, looks like great info.  Beautiful setup too. 

 

4 hours ago, Invidiosulus said:

The Watco teak oil finish is BLO with added anti fungal and anti UV ingredients making it suitable for use outdoors in environments which will see moisture.

I think that it is for indoor only.  I might be confusing it with another Watco product but I do remember seeing that it is not for outdoor use. 

[Travis In Austin]

Thanks for the link to the "Bible" of wood finishing. Great resource.

[Dave1291]

Yuppers to that ^^^^    Kinda want to clean up my old Heresy before I attach a pair of risers.