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Post subject: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:52 am
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Aspiring Musician
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My Custom Deluxe Strat has a nice comfortable neck, but the gloss finish means that the back is sticky in anything except perfect playing conditions - and when do you get them?! This means I don't take it out when I'd otherwise like to; favouring an AmStd instead.

I've tried keeping my hands clean, also the old talcum powder trick (dust your palm), but it doesn't last. I know the theory - that the finish needs to be roughened slightly to break the 'bond' between neck and palm - but I've also read of varying grades of sandpaper used to do it.

On a previous thread (which seems to be more about a sticky fretboard than the back of the neck), Jmattis speaks of around 1000 grade, but a Youtuber uses 400 grade - there's a lot of difference.

Bearing in mind I'm a bit breezy about sanding a CS neck at all(!), has anyone actually done this and what grade did you use? Did it cure it completely? Any downsides?

Thanks a lot - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:29 am
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Have you considered (extra-fine) steel wool instead of sand paper?
If I owned a custom shop guitar I think I would hesitate before scratching it with sand paper of any grit size.
(Actually I would hesitate before modding ANY C/S guitar)
In my experience, steel wool can have a dulling effect on a glossy surface but it won't leave the same degree of grooving and scratching that sandpaper most definitely will.
I've used steel wool between coats of clear on wood projects in the past.
I've even used it after the last coat to remove tiny surface imperfections.
It leaves a dull surface which can still be buffed back to a glossy state.

:idea:

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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:30 am
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common thing with Les Pauls and SGs too. over time, on those anyway, the problem seems to solve itself.
(nitro,, eeesh!)

probably the same results for you, eventually it will go away,

personally I wouldn't touch it, just give it time, and keep a clean cotton cloth handy to wipe her down.


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:22 am
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I used metallic T Cut on mine after it was resprayed in Nitro , which seemed to make it feel more "Played in"
But then I've never had a problem with gloss necks

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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:09 am
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400-grit sandpaper seems a bit coarse for the purpose -- I wouldn't use anything below 600 or, as Matt suggested, extra-fine steel wool. You don't want to strip the neck down to bare lumber, merely knock the shine off of it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:11 am
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Ernie Ball makes a very nice polishing cloth that is different than others. Using it dry on gloss surfaces really shines the surface nicely, but also seems to smooth out the surface. I have an acoustic Guild that suffers from sticky neck. A vigorous rub down with this cloth made a huge difference. There's no damage at all to the finish and looks fantastic. Don't use any polish. Otherwise, "0000" steel wool would be the next bet. Take care to keep the metal shavings away from the pickups. Please don't use sandpaper on a Custom guitar, unless it's a relic. :|


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:12 pm
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Not using steel wool is my personal choice/preference, don't like those smudgy tiny bits everywhere...

My reply in an earlier topic had the "foolproof way of taking the gloss off the back of a sticky neck instructions" - I'd say it's almost impossible to damage a guitar if one follows the instructions to the letter. Using the method on any guitar, be it a CS Fender or the cheapest HB, is of course anyone's own choice.
And, I might add, any internet advice should be handled with caution, mine included.
One more thing: if your instrument is nitro finished, sufficient hours of playing will also do the trick :wink:

jmattis wrote:
If you decide you want to matt the lacquer on the back of the neck, an almost idiot proof way is this:
- take a sheet of fine (#800, 1000, 1200...) wet/dry paper
- cut the sheet in four
- put one piece in a bowl of water
- let soak for five minutes
- grab the paper on two corners, wrap it around the back of the neck, do just a few strokes
- dry the neck, test the feel
- repeat if necessary.


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 12:59 am
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I find I have good results removing the sticky" feel from the necks of my guitars by wiping them down with a micropore cloth after I have used the instrument . Also good for removing finger smudges from the guitar body. No affect on the paint finish or plastics. They cost a couple of bucks from the Reject stores here in Oz. Regards, Ross


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 2:56 am
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Thank you all for the advice! I'll attempt to answer without loads of 'quotes'.

Doing nothing and waiting for the finish to disappear by itself no doubt works, but I may not live long enough for it to happen! You know what it's like if you have several guitars and play them equally; playing every day as I do still doesn't add up to a lot of wear.

I've tried various wipes and - while they work for 20 mins or so - they don't last. Maybe I have sweaty palms or something!

Jmattis - yes, your previous post re the sandpaper cure was what I read, thanks. I'm a practical bloke who does a fair bit of woodwork, but still a bit concerned that I might do some damage. It's not that I'm particularly precious about this CS Strat - I put string trees on it because I considered them necessary - but I don't want to risk something that can't be reversed!

So I'm going to try the wire wool approach, taking the neck off to stop the bits getting everywhere! BMW-KTM - what grade do you suggest, please? I can buy 000 described as Extra Fine, 0000 as Super Fine, and 0000+ as Ultra Fine.

Thanks again / cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:02 am
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Ah, just re-read the posts. Sorry, didn't previously spot the 0000 grade suggestion. Thanks LawFlow!

Will buy it and try it!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:55 am
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Peter S wrote:
Ah, just re-read the posts. Sorry, didn't previously spot the 0000 grade suggestion. Thanks LawFlow!

Will buy it and try it!

Cheers - Peter.
Hey Peter S - I wasn't aware there was a "0000+" grade. Why not get both and start with the finest grade and work down if that doesn't work. Either way, these are super fine grade steel wool often used to bring out the shine in final finishing processes. I used "0000" on a tung oil finish with a high quality wood paste wax and it left a very nice subtle gloss that was very smooth. The wax would be hard to remove and I'm not sure I'd recommend that on a nitro custom finish. It served as a good lubricant though and perhaps a non-hardening mineral oil would serve that purpose. This would make me nervous, but I don't think you could damage anything using caution.
Good luck - Larry


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:01 am
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Thanks Larry - already ordered some '0000'!

So I shouldn't just use it straight on the neck? I need some sort of lubricant? The mineral oil I see for sale in England seems to be related to either cooking or pharma! Would it be one of them, please? Sorry to bug you!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 12:24 pm
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Others may have differing opinions but if it were me I don't think I would want to put any oil on it.
In my view, oil would only make it more difficult to determine what is going on and how your progress is going while you scrub with the wool. Not to mention the possibility of unwanted reactions with oil and finish. I don't know that there would be any reactions but I also don't think I would want to find out.

I agree that starting with the finest wool you can get your hands on is a safer bet than starting course. If it's not removing enough you can always go courser. I think I would advise erring on the side of caution and exercising some patience while scrubbing. My point being, once you've gone too far there is no going back. The reality is, you're not really trying to remove any of the finish thickness. It's more a case of wanting to knock down the gloss as Roger previously mentioned.

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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 12:52 pm
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There are also very fine grade 0000 variations of Brass Wool and Bronze Wool available! These eliminate any magnetic interaction issues between the extremely fine Brass Wool or Bronze Wool residue particles and the magnetic pickups. Everything can be easily removed with compressed air.

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Post subject: Re: Sticky neck!
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 1:02 pm
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MusicLaw wrote:
Everything can be easily removed with compressed air.


Better to remove the neck and work it separately from the body, then hit it with a tack cloth (automotive refinishing product) once the scuffing is complete.

Arjay

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