De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

[Mr Wolf]

My Kramer has a bolt on maple neck. The back (as in the opposite side to the rosewood fretboard) has a transparent gloss finish. I've always preferred the feel of matte satin finishes. Am wondering if i could sand my neck a bit to 'rough it up' and give it that kind of feel. I still want there to be finish on the neck. I have no idea how deep the finish is, if i only do it a bit should the neck be ok?

Seems like a silly thing to ask about, what do you people think?

thanks

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

I think I'd take some 220 grit finishing paper to it and just dull the finish. Or some 00 or 000 steel wool. Or all of the above!

Anything more coarse than 220 grit (like 150 grit) will scratch the finish...use 220 or finer.

Your hand will probably polish it right back to a gloss again in a year or two tho...

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

I think I'd take some 220 grit finishing paper to it and just dull the finish. Or some 00 or 000 steel wool. Or all of the above!

Anything more coarse than 220 grit (like 150 grit) will scratch the finish...use 220 or finer.

Your hand will probably polish it right back to a gloss again in a year or two tho...

My original idea was to scratch into the finish a bit. I was thinking of scratching it enough to give it more of a matte feel to the hand but i dont want to get through to the wood. Is that what you mean by dulling it down? Im just thinking of making a roughness in the finish. If it will polish off over time i wont bother. Thanks

 

[crazytooguy]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

Yikes! Don't use 220! or 00 steel wool. You'll go through to the wood real fast! Some guitar finishes are fairly soft.

Best way is either 600 grit emery cloth or 0000 steel wool. If you use the emery cloth, wet it with a dilute soap solution made from dishwashing soap. I do this with all of the instruments I build.

 

[bvc310]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

on very thick high gloss finishes, i have used 220 grit several times with great results, the finish will feel faster and smooth as a babies but, but for thinner less glossy finishes i use 0000 steel wool which also works great. Just depends on the finish thickness.
Good luck... I love this simple mod,
Brian

 

[Hellion]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

I wouldn't use the 220 grit sandpaper. That stuff is brutish to finishes. I agree with the 600 or higher wet sanding.

 

[51501984]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

This might be a dumb question but do you guys take off the neck when performing these mods ?

 

[bvc310]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

This might be a dumb question but do you guys take off the neck when performing these mods ?

Yep. Id assume it would be difficult to get the entire back of the neck with the neck in place and strings on. I just do them before changing the strings.

 

[butnut]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

The key word is satin. Not flat...which is no sheen. AFAIK, emery grit falls apart in water... 600 grit wet/dry paper will work fine to cut the existing gloss to a flat dull. 0000 steel wools will bring up the sheen to satin, I prefer a slicker feel, so after the 0000 steel, I use 0000 ScotchBrite pad (white) to buff it slightly more and really smooth it out.
I agree crazytooguy and Hellion, 220 would strip off a lacquer finish quick, and you want some finish left on...I use it to scuff poly if I'm painting over it (scratch coat) with primer. Pretty sure that is a poly neck with a decent finish...you'll have enough to work with and give it a satin feel. I'd leave the neck on if just deglossing the back, no need to do much to the tiny bit of heel exposed.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

Ok thanks for all your help. I just need to get hold of the relevant things now to do it. Ill assume then that ill have plenty of finish to work with. Its transparent and i cannot tell how thick it is. Thanks alot everyone

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

I agree too...I only mentioned 220 grit and 00 steel wool because Mr. Wolf seemed to be looking for a deeper cut. Personally, I wouldn't do it all. I'd just leave the guitar alone. Lew

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

What about sanding down to the wood then applying a satin finish?

 

[Stratsky]

Re: De-glossing a neck finish...possible??

I agree too...I only mentioned 220 grit and 00 steel wool because Mr. Wolf seemed to be looking for a deeper cut. Personally, I wouldn't do it all. I'd just leave the guitar alone. Lew

I agree with Lew. I would leave it alone.