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"Satinizing" a painted neck... has anyone done it?

#3
Well, my neck wasn't painted, but I sanded the back of the necks on both my Geddy Jazz and my 62 Reissue P bass. Both feel SOOO much better. I just used a really really high # grit sanding block - i think it was actually my girlfriends sanding block - she uses it on her nails or something LOL
 
#5
I haven't done it myself, but have read how some people use VERY fine steel wool, like 000 or something. Again, I have not tried this, so more research is warranted. I have also read that after using this technique, it doesn't take long before the neck becomes sticky again due to the 'pores' being filled up with dirt/perspiration/etc. As always, your mileage may vary.
 
#6
Tape off the edge of the fret board with blue masking tape. Tape off the headstock (like music man)

Use the finest steel wool you can find (000 or 0000)

Use a light touch and try not to over do it. Take your time and have fun.

Ps. When your done, wipe down re back of the neck with a small amount of alchohol to remove any dust from the steel wool
 
#8
i'd recommend steel wool of the 0000 variety as well. make sure to put masking tape over any exposed polepieces on your pickups, otherwise you can find them covered with little steel wool bits that are horribly annoying to remove. and a lot of people like to mask off the edge of the neck at the headstock (and possibly by the neck joint) so you get a clean line between the satin and glossy parts.
 
#9
Don't use steel wool, the small particles can get attracted to the magnets in the pickups. I have had great success using a green scotchbrite pad to knock the sheen off a glossy poly finish on the backs of my SX necks. You can find the scotchbrite pad in the paint section at hardware and home improvement stores.
 
#10
It sounds like there's some good advice here. I've used steel wool to degloss poly before and it works great. Know that after alot of playing, just your skin rubbing over the finsh might buff it up to a gloss, but that shouldn't be a major problem.

I would recomend not using sandpaper.
 
#16
I had some glossy poly clearcoat on my thunderbird neck that I took a 1000 grit sandpaper to. Just took my time and did it slowly, stopping to see and feel the results. Mostly feel. I did it because I didnt like the feel of the glossy neck. Now it is satinized and my hand flies up and down the neck.
 
#17
Jo6Pak said:
I have also read that after using this technique, it doesn't take long before the neck becomes sticky again due to the 'pores' being filled up with dirt/perspiration/etc.
Click to expand...

I've heard this too, and it's the one fear that's kept me from doing this to my Jack Casady. Anybody else have more info or experience on this? Is it an urban legend? Is it a potential problem only if you overdo it?
 
#18
Lobster11 said:
I've heard this too, and it's the one fear that's kept me from doing this to my Jack Casady. Anybody else have more info or experience on this? Is it an urban legend? Is it a potential problem only if you overdo it?
Click to expand...

i don't doubt that it could happen. but if it were to happen i would just... clean the neck, the way i always do when it gets dirty. so long as you're not dealing with a barely finished neck (like a stingray, or an oil-finished neck), you can use a variety of cleaning products. some manufacturers recommend windex and a soft cloth. i've gone the windex route myself on my self-satinized poly necks and not had a problem.
 

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