Refinishing neck

[StoRMiE]

Felt like attempting to refinish a cheap neck before touching anything better just in case I destroy it in the process.
So I busted out some sandpaper last night and started prepping and then some minor sanding. I would have continued working on it but I was 4 hours into it at 12:47 am.


Any idea's on how to remove the Squier tan lines?

Spent about 45 minutes taping off the frets to prevent them from getting at the very least, Polished by accident.

I only hit it with 1000, I still want to go back over it with 2000 and 6000 and some naphtha before I finish it with this stuff.


No I'm not going to commit a sacrilege and put a Fender logo on it, That's distasteful.

 

[Securb]

Re: Refinishing neck

I just did the same project. I taped off the sides of the head stock and used a heavy duty gel paint remover on the headstock. Once I got everything off I sanded the imperfections. Then I add a thin layer of neutral varnish to even out the color and make the headstock match the neck. I laid down a thin coat of clear lacquer let it dry and applied the new decal. For the past 24 hours I have been applying thin coats of Polyurethane ever few hours. The thicker it gets the better the headstock looks. The edges of the decal are now invisible and after a few more coats I will give it a gentle buff.

 

[dominus]

Re: Refinishing neck

Any idea's on how to remove the Squier tan lines?

I always just painted the headstock to match the body.

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck

I always just painted the headstock to match the body.

I love painted headstocks, But sadly the body the neck belongs to is a sunburst.




Off to sanding I guess.

 

[dominus]

Re: Refinishing neck

I love painted headstocks, But sadly the body the neck belongs to is a sunburst.

Then you paint the body too.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Refinishing neck

If you are planning to finish the neck in Tru Oil, then no need to sand past 220-320. You just want to make sure you have removed any serious sanding scratches before applying oil.

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck




I don't like the color it is now, And I tested some tru-oil on the heel and It didn't darken it much.

Where can I get a stain/tint that looks like this?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Refinishing neck

Assuming you have removed all of the sealer, you can finish the neck with tinted Watco oil, and then go over it with the Tru Oil. This is my preferred method to give necks a vintage look.

http://www.amazon.com/RUST-OLEUM-65141-Golden-Danish-Finish/dp/B00013US7Q

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck

Assuming you have removed all of the sealer, you can finish the neck with tinted Watco oil, and then go over it with the Tru Oil. This is my preferred method to give necks a vintage look.

Do you have any pictures of a neck you've done like that? I'd like to see what it looks like.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Refinishing neck

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?223577-My-Charvel-restoration

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?223577-My-Charvel-restoration

I quite like that, If I can get the outline of the logo to disappear I think I'll try it your way. Thanks for the tip.

Kickass Charvel btw.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Refinishing neck

The Watco oil should mask it better, but I don't know if it will hide it totally.

I have a new maple neck I am working on now that will give you a better idea of what the Watco oil looks like under Tru Oil, but it will be a couple of days before I have the Tru Oil finished up.

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck


So this took forever to show up, Bought this 2 weeks ago and it just showed up today.

A few random questions.

1. How bad is the smell and or fumes?
2. What do I use to apply it to the neck without leaving lint behind?
3. How long should it take to dry?
4. If I spray Tru-oil How do I thin it to spray it? I have a cup gun and whatnot.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Refinishing neck

No real fumes to speak off. I use it inside my shop and there is no strong odor. Just shake it up, and apply with a rag made from a old t shirt.

I would let it sit 24 hours, and then see what you have as far as blotches. Wipe it down with a clean rag, and then apply more if needed.

Personally I let the oil dry for a couple of days if you plan to Tru Oil over it. I buy the rattle can Tru Oil for necks, but you can use a HVLP if you thin the oil (mineral spirits). More info here...

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Refinishing/Wood-Finishing/Tru-Oil®-Stock-Finish.aspx

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck

Thanks, I guess I'll get to work on it.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Refinishing neck

Thanks, I guess I'll get to work on it.

Let me know if I can help

 

[StoRMiE]

Re: Refinishing neck

I've put about 5 coats on the headstock and fretboard, about 3 on the back of the neck before I went back and sanded the back of the neck and the headstock a little to get rid of a few weird spots.


The logo is fading slowly, But I'll still probably have to put a decal over it. Not a fender decal of course.
I'm really liking the color so far, too. Actually makes me want to redo the cabinets in my kitchen with it.

Yes that's a coat hanger. I didn't have anywhere to set it so I put a coat hanger on the blinds and clothes pinned it up there.


Is it me or does this stuff smell kinda like cantaloupe when it gets on your hands?

 

[chadd]

Re: Refinishing neck

For future reference. the reranch tinted lacquer works well to darken a neck. And I use a coat hanger to hang guitars and necks from a post made to hold a bird feeder. I like to paint outside.