Getting rid of the finish on a neck

BurningShrine

BurningShrine

New member
Hey there!

I've got an Fender Jagstang (2003).
Well, I'm not using it but it's actually a nice guitar so I'm thinking about modifying it a little (I'll change the bridge PU and redo the wiring)
There's one problem though: the finish on the neck is awfully sticky.

Do you guys think sanding off the finish will cause trouble? (humidity)

Thanks!
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

You don't have to completely sand the neck of to satinize?! it.

You could use some fine steel wool for that and it'll work just fine.

Keep us posted and good luck
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

The climate isn't too humid but when I'm playing gigs with my dudes I sweat a lot.

I see, just roughening it up should do the job.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

I use a combo of medium then light Wet/Dry Sandpaper (add a touch of moisture to the back of the neck before sanding) and then finish up with Steel Wool and a very light amount of Lemon Oil or Tru Oil (let sit for a bit after wiping off any excess)
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

Light use of very fine grit abrasives will give a "satin" matt finish - a short term solution.

If the film of dried sweat that you leave on the poly-coated neck is copious enough to feel sticky, just think what it could be doing to the finish on the guitar's metal hardware?
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

Another recommendation for fine (0000) steel wool. It works quite well and makes your neck feel like polished stone. There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind if you're going to do this, though. First, make sure you use some tape to mask off the tops of your pickups, because 0000 steel wool is incredibly fragile and even just sanding a neck will cause little steel shavings, which are ferrous and will stick like hell to the magnetism of your pickups. The second is that a few hours of normal playing will buff your neck glossy again, and you'll have to re-sand regularly.
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

sosomething said:
First, make sure you use some tape to mask off the tops of your pickups, because 0000 steel wool is incredibly fragile and even just sanding a neck will cause little steel shavings, which are ferrous and will stick like hell to the magnetism of your pickups.
Click to expand...

+1 to this, I learned this the hard way.
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

Thanks, this helps a lot.
Maybe I'll even reshape the body just a tiny bit.
It'll take a while but I'll make sure to upload some pictures when I'm done.
 
Re: Getting rid of the finish on a neck

Those Jagstangs get more valuable every year. I would sell it and buy a guitar you like rather than wreck the value of a rare guitar by refinishing and reshaping it.

You have something worth about $800. Sand the neck and you're looking at like $400. Reshape the body and you have a $200 hackjob you might can sell for parts. My .02
 
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