Refinishing a neck

[justinbass]

This is a simpler question than a lot asked here:

I just bought a might mite neck. On their website, they say, "All Mighty Mite Necks are finished in Oil Based Poly" How much sanding would I need to do to remove that poly coat if I were to refinish it? I am looking to paint it a solid color, and I don't want to do it wrong.

Thanks!

[Jimbob Jones]

tricky one, depends on the neck. but heres my tips on actually sanding it:

sandpaper & elbow grease.

Start with 100 grit, switch to 200, then switch to 400, then use 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and finally 0000 steel wool, each time removing the scratches from the last sandpaper.

DONT SKIP GRADES!!! if (for example) you went straight from 400 to 1000, you would still have deep scratches that the 1000 cant remove, therefore your lovely neck would be all scratchy and uncomfortable to play

When you want to refinish, make sure you wipe the whole neck down with white spirit on a cotton rag to remove any dust, so that your paint can be applied properly.

When you start, you may find that a lighter or darker wood tone begins to show through once you get through the poly, it may not. Like I said, it all depends on the neck.

[justinbass]

Thanks you for the quick reply.

I was hoping that all I'd have to do is sand, sand and sand again.

I wouldn't have know to use "white spirit on a cotton rag" so thanks again.

-Justin

Now the question is, should I paint it, or use an ebony stain?

[Greenman]

Just scuff up the existing Urathane finish and apply coloured Varethane on it and away you go. " thane on thane"

[justinbass]

So you are saying with Varathane I wouldn't need any other coat? I could sand away the poly that's on the neck now, use black Varathane and I'd be good to go?