If you want to take that to the next level try this: Thin your first coat and sand it in with 600 grit. Leave the gravy on to dry. Next day sand it off with a sanding block, not your hand. After that finish as you did in the video but thin the last two coats (10 in all). All the grain will "pop" and be smooth as glass and shine like a mirror.
Really appreciate you taking the time to share this excellent video and process with Tru Oil. The wood you choose is just beautiful and your process really make it totally unique. I'm about to start the finish on my second semi-hollowbody guitar. This time I want that natural finish like yours. Thank you for the much needed inspiration. I hope yours sound and feel as beautiful as it looks. Keep up the great work.
It’s so enjoyable watching Barrett do his masterful work. I had an SZ520 similar to that one, and the neck treatment would’ve benefited it greatly. I would’ve asked for some bigger frets too lol. I’d love to try this on a few with glossy necks, but I’m too timid to give it a whirl.
Could you do a video on neck heel angles? Specifically how you like to work out the angle you need based on what bridge youre using etc. and how you go about working that into the guitar. It seems there are few videos on working out the heel angle but non (that ive found atleast) that actually show the application of that info. Im a huge fan of your channel by the way!
It's funny, in every one of your vids I have to tell you "you missed a spot"...lols You always find the spot.....hahaha Another great vid bud.....that walnut is be a utiful......
I've finished a lot of guitars with tru oil ( my favourite finish) but I always apply my 3rd coat with 1200 grit wet and dry paper and it always makes the finish so smooth and fills the imperfections. I find 000 steel wool a bit to harsh. Nice finish tho stunning top.. I'd apply about 20 coats just so its supr super deep and glossy..
@@watamatafoyu its actually not a lot of coats when you add in the flattening in-between re application of the tru oil. The coats are super thin also and I think once done its not as thick as a nitrocellulose finish when you add in all the layers you have to build up.
I use Tru-Oil all the time on my builds and I use "Meguiars Cleaner Wax" and then "Turtle Wax". Meguiars is finer and works faster by hand than a buffing machine - IMHO. And it comes out beautiful.
Watching the progress got to love me some burl brother. Can you give any advice for using tru oil and mixing color pigments with. I have just tried it for the first time and I got a lot of color streaking ,,,so I will run with that it looks pretty good. But my question is does tru oil mix with any Color pigments? Thanks for your knowledge base.
Thanks for posting this video, it's great timing for me -- I've been working with Tru Oil on an ukulele and have been having some issues. I put just a few coats on the sides and back, which I don't want to be glossy, but many more coats on the top. I've been having had a hard time with uneven buildup on the top. I'm curious if you wipe off the Tru Oil at any point. In your video(s), you pour it on and rub it in really well, then let it sit. Then repeat. I don't see a wipe-off phase. If you don't wipe it down, how do you avoid streaks or swirl marks in the Tru Oil finish? Is that all handled by the level sanding (steel wool)? Thanks again
you have to rub it in so there is nothing left. you wipe off with what is left. As you build more coats use steel wood before you apply to wipe the lines off. This vid is no edits you see it all
Thanks for all your videos. I am subscribed and hope to watch them all eventually. On this one, you waited three weeks before buffing. You did another walnut tele and didn't wait nearly that long. I'm doing a body with tru-oil and am at the rubbing out/buffing stage. I plan to do it by hand or with a drill buffer. How long should I wait? Thanks.
I enjoy all your videos, particularly the ones where you use the Agulus dyes, then sand back and add final coats of dye to burst them. Can you add tru oil to the finished dye stain when allowed to dry vs a poly or lacquor? Would it affect the dye, the color etc?? or not be a good choice to finish a dyed guitar??
The top is crazy. Love the complete body finish videos. You ever tried making you own tru oil? I've seen other people online talk about the rough ingredients.
@@kenmccarthy6039, Don't think you can link to other YT in comments. do a search on "Make you own TRU-OIL" its on Boudreau Guitars. not detailed just a 500ft view
Thanks for getting back. I tried his recipe and found it didn't dry very well. Probably something I did wrong. Tru oil is hard to get, and expensive here in Ontario, Ca.
@@kenmccarthy6039 Well he did say to let the mix sit out in the open for several days to thicken back up because its a lot thinner than the real thing when you 1st mix it. I however haven't tried it at all so not sure.
I really enjoy your video... Question - is there any way to fill the voids or crevasses in the burl with some sort of clear material so that the entire top surface is smooth.
Hey late to the party, you can use grain filler after it s been wet sanded to raise the grain, but this piece is so damn pretty, I think I would have left it as is as well...
I think a grain fill might lessen the beauty of the wood. Theres products like Z-poxy which are clear and have a relative short hardening time. Still havent tried if that works under tru oil. Let us know.
Question, is it possible to color stain the wood and then apply tru oil? I'm building a guitar and want to stain the body with a light blue jean color and then use tung oil. Then I saw that tru oil has a shine to it and can be buff but I havent seen anyone doing this.
? I have learned a lot from you-thank you, but I have a problem. I am finishing my kit with Angelus Leather Dye and Tru oil. The body which is maple dried in about two hours between coats, but the head which is also maple with the dye on it does not want to dry and it’s been 26 hours. What would cause this?
can you first stain your wood, and then to finish it start with a coat of shellac and alcohol and then finish with a few coats of Tru oil? also when drying, if it's really humid outside should you let it dry inside?
Noah, I believe Birchwood Casey ( makers of tru-oil ) use a water based stain in their stock refinish kit; it would make sense to use a stain that doesn't have the same solvent ( water or thinner ) so that whatever is put over it wouldn't dilute it. I also think it might be a good idea to lightly abrade the shellac prior to the top coat for mechanical adhesion. I now bring mine inside in front of a small personal desk top type fan... no problems now like in my humid garage. Hope that helps.
Hey BigD!!! I’m doing my first TruOil finish, right now, thanks for the tutorial! Had a question on the buffing compound you were using, I can’t seem to hear what brand you said it was, and can’t seem to find anything that sounds like what you called it. What brand and type of buffing compound did you use at the end here??? Thanks dude!!!
My problem with tru oil is it will become more yellowish in the long run, my dark wood will be more darker. And I hate it coz its not natural color anymore. At first im inlove with it.
I know this is an old video, but I have a guitar that I finished with Tru oil about 6 or 7 months ago and wanted to go back and add some more layers to it to get a better shine. Do I need to prepare it with steel wool or sand paper or can I just start adding it on?
Yeah just lightly knock back the hardened tru oil finish with 0000 steel wool then I would actually rub the oil in with the wool for a couple of coats then do as many as you want to get the best finish possible. I normally do abound 15-20 coats on a body and 3 on a neck then buff out with wax once smooth and boy it gets very shiney and slick!its the o nly finish I offer on my part time builds..
D, I have a new walnut build coming. English walnut top and black walnut back and sides. It has not arrived yet, but i am sure it will have small open pores. Is the tru oil enough to fill the pores?. I see on this guitar, you apply tru oil into the wood until it disappears so the first 2-3 coats are getting into the wood, drying and appears to be filling pores. And anytime I wet-sand with tru oil, with 600, it leaves scratches, 1000 grit mirka abralon pad, no scratches....
so you just "know from experience" that it'll be 6 or 7 coats on average ? Also, can you put "too many" coats on ? as in, is it a problem if you over-oil the wood ?
Tru oil contains thinners, oil and varnish. Real tung oil is hard to find and it dries very sowly. Some products such as Homer Formby's Tung oil has no tung oil in it at all (it is actually a wiping varnish). Tung oil does hot dry to a sheen.
Thinning tru oil, if you are new to this, will get you into problems, like dull patches, etc. Do just like Derek is here... If first time, do on some sample wood, to see how it is progressing...
Beautiful and it will breathe naturally. I love tru oil finishes. It has a killer pattern ??? If a Tele body is routed for two humbuckers is it able to still take the normal single coil and plate in the bridge position??? Thanks Big D for vid and anyone who will answer. Awesome gbody
kommi1974 of course the wood is dead. Wood expands and contracts which why tru oil is great in my opinion. You looking for trouble look somewhere else.
How to obtain a more yellow amber effect from tru oil ? Overall on strat maple guitar necks? Tru oil is quite transparent.... Thank u in advance! Great video!!!
I'm using Tru Oil for the first time. I am having problems with my Tru Oil NOT drying smoothly and nice. It's all bumpy like mini air bubbles or wavy/runny. I have sanded it completely off 5 times now. First, I thought I was putting it on TOO thick and it was causing the runny and un-evenness. Then, I thought my method of applying it was causing the streaks and uneven finish (I was rubbing it in with my finger). Then, I thought I wasn't waiting long enough between coats... I'm really starting to feel like an "incapable idiot". I have always heard how "easy" Tru Oil is, and here I am struggling with it. So.. I got rid of the "finger" method and started using a piece of T-SHIRT, also I am trying to put it on in very very thin coats. And was going to try to wait a little longer between coats... But then I come across this "Tru Oil Master Class" and right off the bat you dump like a 1/4 of the bottle directly onto the guitar. And that completely flipped my "plans" on it's head. Now I don't know what to do... I'm not sanding it off again. I'm just going to keep putting on coats until it looks decent. Then let it cure for a few weeks, polish it up and call it done... I guess.
It works fine with dyes. Just make sure you put plenty of coats of dye on and let it fully dry and everything. I’ve done it too early and it pulled some of the dye off. Not enough to completely remove it but it did come off on the rag so just make sure to give it time to dry before you apply the finish
If you want to take that to the next level try this: Thin your first coat and sand it in with 600 grit. Leave the gravy on to dry. Next day sand it off with a sanding block, not your hand. After that finish as you did in the video but thin the last two coats (10 in all). All the grain will "pop" and be smooth as glass and shine like a mirror.
That top. Woah. Gave me goosebumps as soon as the video started. That's one of the most beautiful pieces of wood ive ever seen.
I love the true oil finishes you do. I love this walnut timber, wow it pop's!
I have just watched the first minute and I'm already at awe: this top is completely insane!!!!
Way more thorough than most vids, picked up some good tips, thanks!
That is a beautiful piece love how the tru oil is really an easy and durable finish
That is gorgeous. I love that color. Perfect again.
Love watching some of the old videos. Still super informative
Amazing master class BigD!!!
Great video! I love Tru-Oil it’s a great product and love the finish if you are patient.
Just a pleasure to watch you work this guitar top. Thanks for the detail in this video!!
Thanks for watching an old video
Really appreciate you taking the time to share this excellent video and process with Tru Oil. The wood you choose is just beautiful and your process really make it totally unique. I'm about to start the finish on my second semi-hollowbody guitar. This time I want that natural finish like yours. Thank you for the much needed inspiration. I hope yours sound and feel as beautiful as it looks. Keep up the great work.
man that's gorgeous
Great Job. I have a strat body to do and I am going with your technique with the Tru Oil. Fantastic Big D.
Nice work! You took the job to the final stages of a professional finish and it is a beautiful piece. Well executed!!
Great job as always ,
Looks awesome!
Beautiful. Thanks for showing the process. Im going to tru oil my first guitar. Its a mahogany tele body and neck w rosewood finger board.
I like the Tru Oil finish, very nice Big D!
Subbed after 10 seconds !!!!
Awesome!
Okay, you've convinced me. Hoping to build a kit in the near future and if the grain looks decent it's getting a tru oil finish ;-)
That is a spectacular top.
It’s so enjoyable watching Barrett do his masterful work. I had an SZ520 similar to that one, and the neck treatment would’ve benefited it greatly. I would’ve asked for some bigger frets too lol. I’d love to try this on a few with glossy necks, but I’m too timid to give it a whirl.
Could you do a video on neck heel angles? Specifically how you like to work out the angle you need based on what bridge youre using etc. and how you go about working that into the guitar. It seems there are few videos on working out the heel angle but non (that ive found atleast) that actually show the application of that info. Im a huge fan of your channel by the way!
Thanks for the video 😎
Gorgeous top. Amaising.
It's funny, in every one of your vids I have to tell you "you missed a spot"...lols
You always find the spot.....hahaha
Another great vid bud.....that walnut is be a utiful......
I'm looking up tru oil finishing for a walnut gun stock and I think I'm sold, that looks sweet!
Sweet top!
Oh my goodness... where did you find that piece of wood?? That's the most gorgeous pattern and finishing job ever!!
Nice guitar by the way
Hey big D
Thanks for your channel!! And all the DIY video's. I have a quilted maple top can I use this method on it?
I've finished a lot of guitars with tru oil ( my favourite finish) but I always apply my 3rd coat with 1200 grit wet and dry paper and it always makes the finish so smooth and fills the imperfections. I find 000 steel wool a bit to harsh. Nice finish tho stunning top.. I'd apply about 20 coats just so its supr super deep and glossy..
20 coats OMG
@@watamatafoyu its actually not a lot of coats when you add in the flattening in-between re application of the tru oil. The coats are super thin also and I think once done its not as thick as a nitrocellulose finish when you add in all the layers you have to build up.
8 to 10 coats will be just fine
Can you use tru oil on stained or color burst tops? Or just natural grain?
What was the buffing compound? I enjoyed your vid. Getting ready to do this to a alder body, with a birdseye maple top.
beautiful! what did you finish the sides and back with?
Yeah add this one to your giveaways!!!
Beautiful. Can I get further questions answered by you on this wonderful finish? Regards Alan
hi, thanks for the video. What kind of tissu du you use to apply the tru-oil?
Old t shirt cut up into squares
Yes...good for SOuara...= Sun oil udara,....👍👍 Brilian technic
I use Tru-Oil all the time on my builds and I use "Meguiars Cleaner Wax" and then "Turtle Wax". Meguiars is finer and works faster by hand than a buffing machine - IMHO. And it comes out beautiful.
Great peice of wood but found vid to have no info for novice users
I.E what you use to apply the oil what guage wire wool and could have been edited
D, did you change the angle of the input/output jack?
Groovy
Nice BigD. I have a few burl wood humidors. Never seen it on a guitar.
Do you use water after the steel wool to clean the dust, right?
Great vid! What are you using to apply the oil please?
Can I use a green scotch-brite pad for light sanding instead of the steel wool or is it too abrasive?
Watching the progress got to love me some burl brother.
Can you give any advice for using tru oil and mixing color pigments with. I have just tried it for the first time and
I got a lot of color streaking ,,,so I will run with that it looks pretty good. But my question is does tru oil mix with any
Color pigments? Thanks for your knowledge base.
Do U use any buffing compounds on the buffing wheel?
What applicator are you using to apply the true oil? It sounds like sandpaper?
Thanks for posting this video, it's great timing for me -- I've been working with Tru Oil on an ukulele and have been having some issues. I put just a few coats on the sides and back, which I don't want to be glossy, but many more coats on the top. I've been having had a hard time with uneven buildup on the top. I'm curious if you wipe off the Tru Oil at any point. In your video(s), you pour it on and rub it in really well, then let it sit. Then repeat. I don't see a wipe-off phase. If you don't wipe it down, how do you avoid streaks or swirl marks in the Tru Oil finish? Is that all handled by the level sanding (steel wool)? Thanks again
you have to rub it in so there is nothing left. you wipe off with what is left. As you build more coats use steel wood before you apply to wipe the lines off. This vid is no edits you see it all
What are you wiping it down with after sanding with steel wool,before next coat?
You mentioned you add wood filler. I’m wondering if it would be the same for birds eye maple?
Thanks for all your videos. I am subscribed and hope to watch them all eventually. On this one, you waited three weeks before buffing. You did another walnut tele and didn't wait nearly that long. I'm doing a body with tru-oil and am at the rubbing out/buffing stage. I plan to do it by hand or with a drill buffer. How long should I wait? Thanks.
Denpends on humidity. Wait at least 2 weeks
I enjoy all your videos, particularly the ones where you use the Agulus dyes, then sand back and add final coats of dye to burst them. Can you add tru oil to the finished dye stain when allowed to dry vs a poly or lacquor? Would it affect the dye, the color etc?? or not be a good choice to finish a dyed guitar??
Don t mean to but in but saw you weren t answered yet. You can use Tru oil on dyes if they are 100% dry. Obviously, expect a darker finish.
The top is crazy. Love the complete body finish videos. You ever tried making you own tru oil? I've seen other people online talk about the rough ingredients.
Do you have a link?
@@kenmccarthy6039, Don't think you can link to other YT in comments. do a search on "Make you own TRU-OIL" its on Boudreau Guitars. not detailed just a 500ft view
Thanks for getting back. I tried his recipe and found it didn't dry very well. Probably something I did wrong. Tru oil is hard to get, and expensive here in Ontario, Ca.
@@kenmccarthy6039 Well he did say to let the mix sit out in the open for several days to thicken back up because its a lot thinner than the real thing when you 1st mix it. I however haven't tried it at all so not sure.
@@kenmccarthy6039 watch amazon for sales. I lucked out once and got a litre for $38.
do you have to apply a finish to the cavities as well or is it fine to leave it unfinished?
What a stunning top!
I have a walnut body to do and have to take the paint off, will an orbital sander do the job?
Poly or nitro? Like thick coats? Or thinner? Sanders work but take a bit of time
does a TruOil finish dulls out the gloss much quicker than say a nitro lacquer finish?
What type of rubbing compound do you use ?
I'm currently working on a Tru-Oil finish on a roasted swamp ash guitar body.
When using Tru-oil do you always sand to 600 grit?
Would you use sealer on a roasted ash body with Tru-oil?
Is that just a lint free cloth you're using to apply the tru oil?
That's just Burly !! Hey can you tint your super glue with the true oil to fill blemishes? Just a thought. :P Great Job!
I really enjoy your video... Question - is there any way to fill the voids or crevasses in the burl with some sort of clear material so that the entire top surface is smooth.
Hey late to the party, you can use grain filler after it s been wet sanded to raise the grain, but this piece is so damn pretty, I think I would have left it as is as well...
You can try epoxy.
I think a grain fill might lessen the beauty of the wood. Theres products like Z-poxy which are clear and have a relative short hardening time. Still havent tried if that works under tru oil. Let us know.
Can you use tru oil on a stained guitar body? a ceruse finish?
What do you use as an aplicator?
can you put tru-oil over a sanded down nitro finish?
Question, is it possible to color stain the wood and then apply tru oil? I'm building a guitar and want to stain the body with a light blue jean color and then use tung oil. Then I saw that tru oil has a shine to it and can be buff but I havent seen anyone doing this.
Yes a lot of my vids do that. Make sure you lock in the color with a sanding sealer first. Then apply the truoil.
Tru oil and Naphtha best combo since chocolate and peanut butter
? I have learned a lot from you-thank you, but I have a problem. I am finishing my kit with Angelus Leather Dye and Tru oil. The body which is maple dried in about two hours between coats, but the head which is also maple with the dye on it does not want to dry and it’s been 26 hours. What would cause this?
Let it dry longer. Put a fan on it. Let it sit for a week.
Have you ever used Scotch-Brite pads vs Steel Wool since steel wool makes such a mess with all the little shavings left over?
nah. I have stayed in my old man ways.
He sanded to 600 after a sanding sealer spray? Is that how it's done?
You mention that Tru Oil is a bit yellowish. Is there a kind of oil that is not yellowish?
can you first stain your wood, and then to finish it start with a coat of shellac and alcohol and then finish with a few coats of Tru oil? also when drying, if it's really humid outside should you let it dry inside?
Noah, I believe Birchwood Casey ( makers of tru-oil ) use a water based stain in their stock refinish kit; it would make sense to use a stain that doesn't have the same solvent ( water or thinner ) so that whatever is put over it wouldn't dilute it. I also think it might be a good idea to lightly abrade the shellac prior to the top coat for mechanical adhesion. I now bring mine inside in front of a small personal desk top type fan... no problems now like in my humid garage. Hope that helps.
Can I use tru oil over dye?
I'm looking at finishing a Telecaster body with Tru Oil. Any tips on how to get a neck insert like that for those of us without the tools to make one?
you need a router. you can use a chisel and maybe drill some out but thats a lot of work. A router and a top bearing bit is best.
Hey BigD!!! I’m doing my first TruOil finish, right now, thanks for the tutorial! Had a question on the buffing compound you were using, I can’t seem to hear what brand you said it was, and can’t seem to find anything that sounds like what you called it. What brand and type of buffing compound did you use at the end here??? Thanks dude!!!
Menzerna
My problem with tru oil is it will become more yellowish in the long run, my dark wood will be more darker. And I hate it coz its not natural color anymore.
At first im inlove with it.
i would do the same with superglue.
I know this is an old video, but I have a guitar that I finished with Tru oil about 6 or 7 months ago and wanted to go back and add some more layers to it to get a better shine. Do I need to prepare it with steel wool or sand paper or can I just start adding it on?
You should. Use fine grade steel wool. Will help level and clean it up
Yeah just lightly knock back the hardened tru oil finish with 0000 steel wool then I would actually rub the oil in with the wool for a couple of coats then do as many as you want to get the best finish possible. I normally do abound 15-20 coats on a body and 3 on a neck then buff out with wax once smooth and boy it gets very shiney and slick!its the o nly finish I offer on my part time builds..
D, I have a new walnut build coming. English walnut top and black walnut back and sides. It has not arrived yet, but i am sure it will have small open pores. Is the tru oil enough to fill the pores?. I see on this guitar, you apply tru oil into the wood until it disappears so the first 2-3 coats are getting into the wood, drying and appears to be filling pores. And anytime I wet-sand with tru oil, with 600, it leaves scratches, 1000 grit mirka abralon pad, no scratches....
Should be. You can wet sand with the truoil. I have that in a few vids.
How is the buffing compound removed from the voids?
tooth pick or a scratcher of some sort
looks gorgeous :)
quick question, how do you know how many coats a piece of wood needs ?
6-7. gotta let those first few coats dry. tru-oil needs time to gas out
so you just "know from experience" that it'll be 6 or 7 coats on average ? Also, can you put "too many" coats on ? as in, is it a problem if you over-oil the wood ?
Cramel can’t do to many. But you can lay it on too thick. Thin coats at the end. Don’t put too much on.
Can you do 5 coats on the front, let it dry, turn it around and do back and sides? Then repeat as many times as it gets to get it as thick as wanted?
mvyper yes.
@@1777DK thanks!
What is difference in the results between Tung oil (like Kiesel use) to Tru oil?
Tru oil contains thinners, oil and varnish. Real tung oil is hard to find and it dries very sowly. Some products such as Homer Formby's Tung oil has no tung oil in it at all (it is actually a wiping varnish). Tung oil does hot dry to a sheen.
At 28:29 Burnsa buffing compound?
Looks like a Sarlacc pit. Fucking rad.
Thinning tru oil, if you are new to this, will get you into problems, like dull patches, etc. Do just like Derek is here... If first time, do on some sample wood, to see how it is progressing...
Your thoughts on using Tru-Oil on an acoustic guitar?
I have done that before. works well. lets the guitar breathe.
"an" outstanding piece of wood, there, guy.
thanks!
Beautiful and it will breathe naturally. I love tru oil finishes. It has a killer pattern ??? If a Tele body is routed for two humbuckers is it able to still take the normal single coil and plate in the bridge position??? Thanks
Big D for vid and anyone who will answer. Awesome gbody
Lol. The wood is dead, it doesn't breath. Haha. You believe in tone wood too, eh?
kommi1974 of course the wood is dead. Wood expands and contracts which why tru oil is great in my opinion. You looking for trouble look somewhere else.
How to obtain a more yellow amber effect from tru oil ? Overall on strat maple guitar necks? Tru oil is quite transparent.... Thank u in advance! Great video!!!
I mixed stain with truoil. It worked
What was that weird noise at about 3:40?
How do you deal with the tiny strands of steel wool... don't some stick to the tru oil?
Blow it off with compteed air.
(compressed)
I'm using Tru Oil for the first time. I am having problems with my Tru Oil NOT drying smoothly and nice. It's all bumpy like mini air bubbles or wavy/runny. I have sanded it completely off 5 times now. First, I thought I was putting it on TOO thick and it was causing the runny and un-evenness. Then, I thought my method of applying it was causing the streaks and uneven finish (I was rubbing it in with my finger). Then, I thought I wasn't waiting long enough between coats... I'm really starting to feel like an "incapable idiot". I have always heard how "easy" Tru Oil is, and here I am struggling with it.
So.. I got rid of the "finger" method and started using a piece of T-SHIRT, also I am trying to put it on in very very thin coats. And was going to try to wait a little longer between coats...
But then I come across this "Tru Oil Master Class" and right off the bat you dump like a 1/4 of the bottle directly onto the guitar. And that completely flipped my "plans" on it's head. Now I don't know what to do...
I'm not sanding it off again. I'm just going to keep putting on coats until it looks decent. Then let it cure for a few weeks, polish it up and call it done... I guess.
What are you putting it on? Send me pics derek@bigdguitars.com
How do you find tru oil works with a dyed top?
It works fine with dyes. Just make sure you put plenty of coats of dye on and let it fully dry and everything. I’ve done it too early and it pulled some of the dye off. Not enough to completely remove it but it did come off on the rag so just make sure to give it time to dry before you apply the finish
What about the back?
For finishing a guitar body, you need a clean area and work surface. You should lay down some old thick towels.