Remove Classic Vibe neck gloss finish?

[zacpack]

I'm wondering what I need to use to remove the gloss finish on the back of a Classic Vibe Jazz neck. It feels sticky to me.

I'm assuming that some of you guys have done this before. Does anyone have any pics so I can see what it's like when it has been done?

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Probably a very, very fine sandpaper, on the premise that you can always sand more, but can't undo sanding. I haven't done it, though. I don't have the courage to do it, frankly, and I like the high gloss laquer. It works for me. Good luck.

 

[P_Bass_Manny]

I vote hammer

Sandpaper would achieve a nicer finish but is far less fun.

On a more serious note, if you're just trying to get a satin finish you could scuff it up with some steel wool to remove some of that sticky gloss.

Manny

 

[Rickett Customs]

You can use a 3M "scotch brite" pad as well. Or go with 00 steelwool, up to 0000 steelwool. That way you can keep some of the finish, but get a more "natural" feel.

 

[SDB Guitars]

No matter how you do it, that's a tough finish... polyester. +1 for the steel wool suggestion. 0000 steel wool will take the gloss off, leaving you with a semi-gloss to satin finish. 000 should leave you with more of a matte finish...

Be sure to take the neck off the body before you do any work on it.

 

[makkE]

I have a 50ies CV with that same high gloss.

First, I sanded the whole thing (also the headstock and fretboard for the looks) with 0000 Steel wool. Worked okay, but I must have been too shy, since after a couple of months, the back of the neck became slippery and glossy again.

I now used some 800 grit sandpaper to make all the gloss dull. Then used 0000 steel-wool to finish. Worked out really well IMHO.

No more stickyness, nice smooth feel and a satin look.

 

[SDB Guitars]

...I sanded the whole thing (also the headstock and fretboard for the looks) with 0000 Steel wool. Worked okay, but I must have been too shy, since after a couple of months, the back of the neck became slippery and glossy again.

Any satin finish you apply will eventually "gloss up" again, due to the friction of your hand against the neck. The only difference in using something more coarse than the 0000 steel wool (like sandpaper) is that when it eventually glosses back up, you will more prominently see the fine scratches in it that were left by the sandpaper.

 

[Jaco D]

Is it the gloss that you're trying to get rid off or the "sticky"-ness? As you use the bass more and more, that sticky-ness will wear away but the gloss would remain. Actually, if the finish were satin, it would get glossier as it wears out. To accelerate the wear (i.e, reduce the stick-ness, etc.) I rub rubbing and polishing compound (the red and white stuff you find in auto supply stores and the automotive section of big box stores) on the back of the neck. I tried 0000 (or whatever is the finest grade - I can't remember the number) steelwool once, but it leaves some metal dust that the pickup magnets attract so I've never used it again. The nice thing about using the red and white stuff is it doesn't leave micro-scratch marks on the neck and the even, shiny surface looks as if the slick finish was due to constant usage.

 

[makkE]

I need to add that I of course covered all electronics, the pickups and the tuners before using steel wool.

@SDB Guitars:

Okay thanks for adding this - I myself am not concerned about the scratches, but the OP might be.

 

[SDB Guitars]

...As you use the bass more and more, that sticky-ness will wear away but the gloss would remain. Actually, if the finish were satin, it would get glossier as it wears out...

So... yeah. Play more, sucka! Then the stickiness will go away. Eventually your neck could look like this!

 

[zacpack]

Is it the gloss that you're trying to get rid off or the "sticky"-ness? As you use the bass more and more, that sticky-ness will wear away but the gloss would remain. Actually, if the finish were satin, it would get glossier as it wears out. To accelerate the wear (i.e, reduce the stick-ness, etc.) I rub rubbing and polishing compound (the red and white stuff you find in auto supply stores and the automotive section of big box stores) on the back of the neck. I tried 0000 (or whatever is the finest grade - I can't remember the number) steelwool once, but it leaves some metal dust that the pickup magnets attract so I've never used it again. The nice thing about using the red and white stuff is it doesn't leave micro-scratch marks on the neck and the even, shiny surface looks as if the slick finish was due to constant usage.

Yeah, I'm just trying to get rid of the stickiness. I suppose I'll just play it a bit more and rub it off myself

 

[Hookus]

Just rub it a little bit with a scotch brite pad, as one poster already said. It will remove virtually no finish, but will tame the stickys.

 

[zacpack]

Just rub it a little bit with a scotch brite pad, as one poster already said. It will remove virtually no finish, but will tame the stickys.

Could you hit me with a link of what I should use?

 

[Rickett Customs]

You should be able to obtain a scotch brite pad, from a local hardware or grocery store.