How to smooth out guitar neck?

['59]

I've got a crazy sticky gloss neck on a Standard Stratocaster that I have and I was wondering if any of you new a good process to smooth it down to a more wood-like finish and what tools I would need to do it. Also any words of warning or caution would be appreciated.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Green Scotch Brite

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Use Scotchbrite. Doesn't have to be down to the wood, doesn't even have to be a dull finish. Just run it up and down the neck a bit to take the slickness off. You'll be surprised how a minute's work will yield a smoother feel.

 

[Discharged]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

+ 1 to the Scotch Brite.

/Peter

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Here's something I learned the hard way: don't go too hard on the finish. It can lead to removing the protective finish and lead to the neck getting warped later down the line. Don't go easy, and check the feel of the neck often. It's better to have a bit too much finish then a useless neck.

It's pretty tough to go that deep, but it is possible.

 

['59]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Thanks. Is there any way I can smooth it down to bare wood and then rub a protective bit of oil in it?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

I don't think so. His first question was how to remove excess finish, now he's asking if after he smooths it out, could he go all the way to the wood and seal it up with some oil.

I say yes, all you have to do is run a thin coat of Tru-Oil onto the back of the neck, making sure to apply it evenly over the entire area that you thinned out the finish on. Do this for two to four coats, depending on how thick you pit them on.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Thanks. Is there any way I can smooth it down to bare wood and then rub a protective bit of oil in it?

Sure, you can scrape or sand off the polyurethane and then use something like Tru Oil. I would suggest trying the Scotch Brite first.

 

[Discharged]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Thanks. Is there any way I can smooth it down to bare wood and then rub a protective bit of oil in it?

Using the Scotch Brite trick, you don't need to.

/Peter

 

[Ben1962]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Somebody piss in your cornflakes? Wow, real class act goober

 

[Ben1962]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Try the Scothbrite, it works awesome and will last for months. Ever gets sticky again, hit it a few times again. DONT use sandpaper as the dust can hurt the electronics.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

A very fine grit painter's sanding sponge.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

I live dangerously and take them down to bare wood, then tung oil. Maybe I’m just lucky, but I’ve never had one warp.

Initially, I tried knocking off the gloss, but I it never stayed slick long enough. Even on my mandolin, which has a matte finish, my hand polished it to a sticky gloss.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Usually a couple of strokes with Scottbrite is the ticket

Four or five is noticeably better

Play till it's sticky again

Touch off some more

 

[texred]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Try the Scothbrite, it works awesome and will last for months. Ever gets sticky again, hit it a few times again. DONT use sandpaper as the dust can hurt the electronics.

Little fibers can come off anything (cig filters to your lungs), so I tape pickups no matter what, in all my years of experience. :dot:
Oh yeah, painters' tape is best for this purpose. Will stay in place and come off easy on guitar.

 

[texred]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Somebody piss in your cornflakes? Wow, real class act goober

He's been that way lately.

 

[texred]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Here's something I learned the hard way: don't go too hard on the finish. It can lead to removing the protective finish and lead to the neck getting warped later down the line. Don't go easy, and check the feel of the neck often. It's better to have a bit too much finish then a useless neck.

It's pretty tough to go that deep, but it is possible.

Sorry, but what did he just say?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

He's been that way lately.

I'm old and grumpy, and I speak the truth. Some snowflakes get bent out of shape about it.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Well, I guess now that certain comments have been deleted, half the posts on this thread are now confusing and irrelevant.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Sorry, but what did he just say?

I don't know about every single case, but in certain climates exposed wood can expand and contract in an asymmetrical way, causing the neck to warp over time.