call finishes

[Gene @ Liford Custom Calls]

Hey everyone, I hate to beat a dead horse to death but I need some advice on call finishes. I currently use Tru-oil with CA glue over it but I'm unsure on how to seal the inside of a call. Or does it matter that it's not finished? I just started turning deer grunts and duck calls and I plan on selling them so I want my customers to have a good quality call that'll last. What are everyone's feeling about dipping in a spar mixture how difficult is it? What are some good finishes that I might be missing?  Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[FDR]

Dipping/soaking the call in "Watco" brand "Teak Oil" will give you a good base for whatever final finish you choose. The teak oil will seal the interior of the call. Just follow the directions on the can!

Fred

[Gene @ Liford Custom Calls]

Thanks Fred! Do I need to cut the teak oil with anything or just go slow with the dipping?

[Michael @ RK Custom Calls]

I've been dipping mine in 100% teak oil.  I've found that the hardest part is removing them from the soak slowly to get a nice even coat.  I've had some issues with oil leaving a drip mark on a few calls.  Maybe cutting it with some mineral spirits would prevent this?  Anyone else have some insight?

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Michael, Teak oil is meant to soak into the wood, not dry on top of it. You shouldn't be worried about drips or anything. Let it soak for 12 hours or so, remove from oil, and wipe dry. Then a day or two to cure and you're done.

LifordCC, like I said above, don't worry about drips or any of that with Teak oil. Just drop it in for a 12 hour soak, remove, and wipe excess off. You shouldn't have to thin it, I never have.

[James Strickland]

David is right.  Drop in the call and let soak for 12-24 hours.  I tend to go 24 hours generally.  Remove it and wipe it down then hang to dry for a day.  Once dry, buffing it gives the call a nice sheen.  One of my favorite finishes.

[K.Ruge calls]

IS Teak oil , Teak oil
OR IS THERE A BETTER BRAND TO USE .....

[Gene @ Liford Custom Calls]

Do you all that currently use teak oil put multiple coats on? or just let it soak for 12-24 hours and then wipe it off?

[Gene @ Liford Custom Calls]

I soaked some calls in it this morning for about 30 minutes then pulled them out. I am using Pecan wood which tends to be a lighter color. When I pulled them out they were super dark and I understand that teak oil is darker but will it lighten as it dries?

[FDR]

IS Teak oil , Teak oil
OR IS THERE A BETTER BRAND TO USE .....

I use the "Watco" brand from either Lowes or Home Depot.  There are similar products (penetrating oils) but they are not called "Teak Oil".

Teak oil was developed to treat outdoor wood furniture and the wood trim on boats. The wood trim on boats is often "Teak" wood hence the name "Teak OIL".

Fred

[FDR]

I soaked some calls in it this morning for about 30 minutes then pulled them out. I am using Pecan wood which tends to be a lighter color. When I pulled them out they were super dark and I understand that teak oil is darker but will it lighten as it dries?

Teak oil will darken the wood some. Tru oil will also darken the wood. If you want to preserve the true original wood color you have to use shellac, spar, or one of the acrylic finishes. Teak oil is one of the few finishes that you can use on Cocobolo or other real oily woods.

Fred

[Gene @ Liford Custom Calls]

I soaked some calls in it this morning for about 30 minutes then pulled them out. I am using Pecan wood which tends to be a lighter color. When I pulled them out they were super dark and I understand that teak oil is darker but will it lighten as it dries?

Teak oil will darken the wood some. Tru oil will also darken the wood. If you want to preserve the true original wood color you have to use shellac, spar, or one of the acrylic finishes. Teak oil is one of the few finishes that you can use on Cocobolo or other real oily woods.

Fred

I got my teak oil from Walmart, but I saw on home depot that the have what they call "Watco Clear matte teak oil" is that what you use Fred?

[James Strickland]

I use Watco Teak Oil as well.  But, I haven't heard or seen it referred to as "clear matte" teak oil.

It'll darken calls a little bit.  But, I think all oils will do that since they soak into the wood.

[Michael @ RK Custom Calls]

Michael, Teak oil is meant to soak into the wood, not dry on top of it. You shouldn't be worried about drips or anything. Let it soak for 12 hours or so, remove from oil, and wipe dry. Then a day or two to cure and you're done.

LifordCC, like I said above, don't worry about drips or any of that with Teak oil. Just drop it in for a 12 hour soak, remove, and wipe excess off. You shouldn't have to thin it, I never have.

David, thanks for the reply.  I realize it is meant to soak in and preserve the wood from within, but i didn't realize that having some imperfections on the surface was ok.

So after the teak oil soak, a guy could either buff it out and get a shiny finish, or finish with some type of CA or other finish?  I'm assuming if I were to just buff the teak oil and be done, that would provide me the necessary protection from moisture to take the call in the field?

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Correct.

I buff all of my oil finished calls. It doesn't get as shiny as CA or other clear finishes like it (poly, spar, etc) but I like the satin look.