Best way to de-gloss neck.

[Vin Venal]

Howdy.

 

I've got a Squier Jag, which I love, but the neck is thick, sticky gloss, which impacts playability.

 

Is there a generally accepted, minimally invasive way of getting a more satin finish?

 

I was thinking of just getting some wire wool and giving it a gentle rub, but I don't wanna remove too much finish, I've seen some necks which look like someone's been at them with an angle grinder, and I wanna avoid that if possible.

 

Cheers ears!

[tegs07]

I’ve used a heat gun to do this a few times then sanded down to bare wood going through the grits. I’ve always used tru-oil afterwards. You have to be really careful though particularly with the heat gun as you don’t want to burn the wood. Working around the frets was very slow going. I wouldn’t be surprised if I put in over 20 hours to get the finish I required.

 

 

Edited February 9, 2022 by tegs07

[Vin Venal]

1 minute ago, tegs07 said:

I’ve used a heat gun todo this a few times then sanded down to bare wood going through the grits. I’ve always used to-oil afterwards. You have to be really careful though particularly with the heat gun as you don’t want to burn the wood. Working around the frets was very slow going. I wouldn’t be surprised if I put in over 20 hours to get the finish I required.

 

 

Yeah, sounds like more work than I'd like to pit in.

 

I was hoping to avoid completely removing the finish, cuz I like the "vintage" stain.

 

Was hoping it would be possible to just rough up the surface of the polyurethane a bit, but not sure if that will work.

[tegs07]

1 minute ago, Vin Venal said:

Yeah, sounds like more work than I'd like to pit in.

 

I was hoping to avoid completely removing the finish, cuz I like the "vintage" stain.

 

Was hoping it would be possible to just rough up the surface of the polyurethane a bit, but not sure if that will work.

Might do with a fine enough wire wool. Not tried it though so can’t advise sorry.

[stu_g]

i have used fine wire wool on a few of my bass necks and it does the job without removing much finish.

[Vin Venal]

26 minutes ago, stu_g said:

i have used fine wire wool on a few of my bass necks and it does the job without removing much finish.

Awesome, thanks!

 

I'll give it a go.

[Frank Blank]

We need some builders on this case like @Jabba_the_gut and @Andyjr1515.

[Stub Mandrel]

My Jag's neck has a quite thin, abit-glossier-than-satin finish which is quite pleasant.

 

I have flatted down high-gloss necks in the past but I'm less worried about it these days.

[skankdelvar]

Tape over the pick-ups before letting wire wool within six feet of one's instrument. 

 

(Someone always mentions it and this time it was my turn).

[Bigguy2017]

Green Scotchbrite pad. Then wax with Gunstock Wax for the Musicman feel....

[Andyjr1515]

Scotchbright (think panscrub) is better to use than wire wool as there is no danger of fine iron filings stuck to the pickups.

 

It comes in various grades - builders and decorators merchants usually have a wide range, but you can pick up a pack of three grades from most DIY stores nowadays.

[Andyjr1515]

4 minutes ago, Bigguy2017 said:

Green Scotchbrite pad. Then wax with Gunstock Wax for the Musicman feel....

We were typing the same thing at the same time