I just tried something new and got the best results so far. I am quite sure all the finish is off the back of my neck, but I'm ok with that. This time I sanded with 600 grit and did not work my way up the ladder to 000 steel wool. I think the rougher finish works better and doesn't tack up so fast, it is similar to the roadworn strat's neck.

You sanded the back of the neck as well? If yours was bought a year ago didn't it have the same satin finish as the MIMs? Unless of course yours isn't a 2008 model. I tried a strat once with the glossed back of the neck as well and I could barely move my hand up and down the neck. Did you sand the fretboard down all the way to the wood as well?