Sticky Tape has left pale patches on maple neck finish. How To Restore?

[thebrig]

I've just purchased a lovely Lakland USA bass, but the previous owner put sticky tape on the side of the neck so he could see better in low lighting.

 

Unfortunately, after removing the tape, it has left pale patches where the tape was, so how do I go about getting the neck to look even again, will I need to take all the original finish off and refinish it, or is there something I can use to just blend the pale patches in?

 

I believe Lakland finish the necks with oil.

[John Cribbin]

I'd suggest patience ....

 

It's possible that the neck has darkened due to exposure to daylight and the wood under the tape has remained the original colour.

 

I'd be leaving it where it gets daylight and see if it blends in naturally.

[thebrig]

13 minutes ago, John Cribbin said:

I'd suggest patience ....

 

It's possible that the neck has darkened due to exposure to daylight and the wood under the tape has remained the original colour.

 

I'd be leaving it where it gets daylight and see if it blends in naturally.

That's what I was thinking John, most woods do darken when exposed to daylight.

Trouble is, I'm not a very patient person. 🤔

Edited February 24, 2022 by thebrig

[John Cribbin]

27 minutes ago, thebrig said:

That's what I was thinking John, most woods do darken when exposed to daylight.

Trouble is, I'm not a very patient person. 🤔

Two rams are let out into a field, a young ram and an old ram. On the top of a hill they see a group of lady sheep.

 

Come on. says the young ram, lets run up the hill and become acquainted with a few ladies.

 

Lets walk up the hill, says the old ram, and become acquainted with them all,

[ezbass]

If an oil finish it is, try taking a nut (walnut, pecan, hazelnut, whatever you have) and rubbing the flesh lightly over the area. This works on some wooden furniture and flooring, might be worth a try.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

2 hours ago, ezbass said:

If an oil finish it is, try taking a nut (walnut, pecan, hazelnut, whatever you have) and rubbing the flesh lightly over the area. This works on some wooden furniture and flooring, might be worth a try.

I agree, it is certainly worth seeing whether it is improved by rubbing your nuts on it.

[Maude]

Put it on a sunbed. 

[T-Bay]

If you have a conservatory then a couple of weeks in there should sort the colour (but obviously only if you can keep the temperature reasonably stable, don’t do it in August!)

[Doctor J]

It's UV light exposure vs the lack of it. You're more likely to get an even finish by rubbing the rest of it with a very light abrasive to take off the finish which has aged than trying to darken those light areas to match the rest of it.

[Bunion]

Seems a lot of work when a sweaty hand up and down it over the next few weeks will probably bring the colour down, besides its mojo 

 

just relax and let it happen 👍🏻

[thebrig]

Thanks for all the tips everyone, although I'm not sure about rubbing my nuts on it, unless the guitarist asked to have a go on it. 😁

 

I think I will just try an be patient.