Sticky neck finish problem

nato101010 · #1 06-06-2010, 02:21 PM

I'm not liking the sticky and uneven neck finish on my SX. Is there any problem with sanding it down with a really thin grit, like 200, to get that satin feel? Have people done this before? What about wet sanding the neck?

Essthreetee · #2 06-06-2010, 02:46 PM

Just use a fine steel wool to knock off the gloss. Works like a charm. Just don't go too far or you will have bare wood....

bubinga5 · #3 06-06-2010, 02:57 PM

Ive done this on my Jazz..hate the sticky gloss....very fine wool takes this off to give it a more satin feel...much smoother

OmnitzGarima · #4 06-06-2010, 03:06 PM

200 grit is probably more coarse than you want. I took the finish off the neck of my upright, I started with 200 maybe and ended up using 600 or 800 at the end. If you don't want to take the finish off I'd use 800 or, as suggested, fine steel wool.

blmeier7 · #5 06-06-2010, 05:46 PM

Steel wool worked great for me too.

-=DanAtkinson=- · #6 06-06-2010, 06:28 PM

Make sure you use #0000 steel wool. Run it up and down the length of the neck. Don't go in circles or go side to side (you want the sanding to go in the direction of your hand when you play). And for God's sake, put some tape or something over your pickups. The steel wool dust will stick like crazy to the magnets!

**Mark Wilson** · #7 06-06-2010, 06:52 PM

A lot of people do this.
Also, +1 PUT TAPE ON YOUR PICKUPS.
You'll be picking that crap off for years.

Calaverasgrande · #8 06-06-2010, 06:58 PM

I looked up "musicman stingray oil and wax finish" there is a lot of info out there about maintaining the neck finish on a stingray/sterling. After I found a nice vid on youtube and did the deed for my sterling I had the oil and wax and sandpaper left. I really liked ho nice my basses neck felt, so I decided to do the same for my Peavey guitar.
It rules! I just sanded all the gloss off and then cleaned it with some dunlop fretboard cleaner and a shammy. Then I applied the oil and wax and wiped it off. Whammo! Instant smooth.

Either that or just get over it. I have never had a basses neck be so sticky I can play it. Perhaps too much of you hand is touching the back of the neck?

Crockettnj · #9 06-06-2010, 07:02 PM

I'd agree that 200 is probably overkill and may be less than ideal. 400grit or some fine steal wool will work like a charm. You can go with the superfine wool (0000000) but imo its not required either.

HUGE +1 on taping the pups when using wool. I like to use it outdoors with a fan too- no need having any of that stuff in the house.

No paralysis by analysis... just do it!

Sam Hain · #10 06-06-2010, 07:03 PM

This is not for everyone I am sure but I sand my necks down to bare wood. I like it because you dont get that gummy feel. Also when you sweat you dont stick to the neck. Also watch that you dont get your machines dirty, take em off.

nato101010 · #11 06-06-2010, 07:35 PM

Cool. Steel wool seems like the way to go. So if I happen to have some 400 grit, that'll work too?

I'll take the neck off, and work in the shop.

nato101010 · #12 06-07-2010, 04:40 PM

Alright, so I had some 400 grit lying around.

I whipped the neck off, filled a bucket with water, and got to wetsanding the neck. It worked really really well! Nice and smoooooth. Thanks guys for the help.

Calaverasgrande · #13 06-08-2010, 03:03 PM

so are you leaving it bare?
Not a great idea. You should apply some kind of oil to seal it.

Floyd Eye · #14 06-08-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

so are you leaving it bare?
Not a great idea. You should apply some kind of oil to seal it.

+100000000000000000000000

It ain't a baseball bat man.

jumbosilverette · #15 06-08-2010, 03:54 PM

Green scrubby sponge is all you need. You use steel wool and you'll regret it; sandpaper will take off too much finish.

tk421 · #16 06-08-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

Green scrubby sponge is all you need. You use steel wool and you'll regret it; sandpaper will take off too much finish.

yeap.

preferably the yellow sponge / green scrubby ones from scotchbrite.

use them to lightly knock the gunk off my peavey's fingerboard when i change strings. and to de-gloss neck backs. it took about 10 light swipes up and down with 800 grit emery paper, and about a dozen swipes with a green scrubby to get my ibanez perfect.

PCR · #17 06-08-2010, 04:00 PM

I use guitar polish and a sock (clean). Squeeze a good amount of polish onto the sock, and rub the back of the neck until smooth (may take a few minutes).

Nice shiny neck, and no stick.