Sticky neck

ThreeFingerTime · #1 07-23-2006, 12:04 PM

Greetings! (my first post to the forums)

I recently (as of a couple months ago) finished a Warmoth neck with Watco Clear Lacquer aerosol, and was never really happy with the finish. I used fine grade sandpaper and even brown paper bags, after seeing the trick on the forums. But it was never as baby smooth as professionally finished necks.

More recently I've tried putting some hours on the bass to really grow into it, but it seems that the neck will become tacky/sticky under my thumb after about 30 mins of play. Are there ways I could fix it or products I could use on top of it to try to get it closer to a silky smooth finish?

Thanks for the help,
TFT

spudmaster34 · #2 07-23-2006, 01:06 PM

a rub with verry verry fine steel wool will do it, if we are thinking of the same problem

FBB Custom · #3 07-24-2006, 09:56 AM

What grits did you sand to?

I would think that you would want to stop around 1000 and not use polishing compound. Too smooth a surface will feel sticky.

PilbaraBass · #4 07-25-2006, 04:39 AM

go with the steel wool or 3M nylon scour pads...just rub it up and down the back of the neck about 1-2 dozen times...and WOILA!

**Rodent** · #5 07-25-2006, 10:58 AM

I believe you're referring to stickiness that feels like the lacquer never completely cured, yes?

all the best,

R

ThreeFingerTime · #6 07-29-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodent

I believe you're referring to stickiness that feels like the lacquer never completely cured, yes?

all the best,

R

Yes, sort of. After reading the first recommendation I went out and got some 00 and 0000 steel wool. It's seemed to have made a good improvement, but it's still not smoothe. And, maybe I'm crazy, but it seems like it's only smoothe at first. After about 10 minutes of playing it seems like it starts going tacky again.

Greenman · #7 07-29-2006, 11:05 PM

I believe Warmoth ships thier necks sealed. If you applied lacquer over it and you don't like the feel I would remove the lacquer and try a couple of light coats of satin polly. You might like the feel of it better right from the start or you can rub it down with 0000 steel wool. Allways degrease your steel wool.

**Rodent** · #8 07-30-2006, 08:56 AM

from my experience, if you have a lacquer neck that becomes sticky again after you've given it the steel wool treatment then there's something going on with the finish:

* the lacquer is quite young, and still needs a few weeks to properly age and 'exhale its carriers'

* the lacquer has reacted with something during the application process, and will never set properly. I have a friends bass where lacquer from a rattle can was applied over an enamel from a rattle can - three years later it still became sticky when playing

* you have applied something to the finish that reacted with the lacquer ... maybe you masked it off with the blue 3M masking tape. this is BAD stuff to use for masking on a lacquer finish, and will leave it sticky even after steel wool. read the lable on the tape roll and you'll see it's listed as not suitable for lacquer

you may need to strip the finish down to bare wood, and then use a sealer that is appropriate for use with lacquer. not the funnest thing to do, but it may be necessary

all the best,

R