What should I use to clean my neck?

[Mikelamury]

The neck on my fender JMJ road worn bass is starting to get sticky the more I play it, I think they rubbed gunk all over the neck as part of the aging process. What should I use to clean it with? It's a maple neck. I'm not sure if I should use body cleaner or fingerboard cleaner? What would you suggest?

 

[Chris Pile]

Lemon cleaner would get almost any gunk off the finish, but if you want the neck to be satiny - not sticky - then lightly buff the back of the neck with some light gray or maroon Scotchbrite. You don't have to use much pressure, just enough make it smooth.

 

[Mincer]

I'd suggest cleaner over oil after you do the Scotchbrite trick.

 

[Mikelamury]

Lemon cleaner would get almost any gunk off the finish, but if you want the neck to be satiny - not sticky - then lightly buff the back of the neck with some light gray or maroon Scotchbrite. You don't have to use much pressure, just enough make it smooth.

Is there a difference between the grey and maroon? What do you suggest?

 

[NegativeEase]

Lemon cleaner would get almost any gunk off the finish, but if you want the neck to be satiny - not sticky - then lightly buff the back of the neck with some light gray or maroon Scotchbrite. You don't have to use much pressure, just enough make it smooth.

This, also I use Naptha on tough spots on the metallic parts.....

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Naphtha takes of nearly any gunk without affecting finishes, even delicate ones.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Is there a difference between the grey and maroon? What do you suggest?

The finest grade of Scotch-Brite is the white. 3M says it's basically equivalent to 0000 steel wool.
Often hard to find in regular hardware stores but you can order it online.

 

[Chris Pile]

Yes, it's a matter of "grit". Dark gray is rough, then maroon, then light gray, then white. I can't remember about green.... The key is light pressure.