I own a 2009 mim strat and i like the feel of the neck but i really dont like the lacquer. I cant slide easily when i slide across the neck. Very ristricting. What is the easiest way to remove the lacquer.

Hi fendersonly,

When I hear "lacquer" I think nitro cellulose, and I'm sure that the neck finish on yours is polyurethane (or polyester). If you have a gloss finish on the neck, then sanding with fine sandpaper (1200 grit or higher) is about the best way to smooth it to a satin finish, or completely remove the finish, being careful not to sand away any of the wood, changing the profile.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Thanks for asking this! I had the some question.

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I dont have a death grip it is just that when i play my hands sweat really bad and the sweat makes it hard to slide on the neck.

I use 0000 steel wool,lightly,feeling it along the way so I won't take too much of the finish off....just until it feels right.

+1 on the steel wool. Use 0000 Steel wool ONLY. This will make the neck very smooth, and the finish will still be there too! All it will do is make the gloss look and feel a little more satin-like. Every so many years, if you play alot, it will shine back up, and you can again de-gloss it with steel wool if you like.

If you use steel wool, either remove the neck or cover the pickups with masking tape.

Otherwise you'll be really amazed at how many steel wool particles get stuck to the pickups' polepieces. They'll all have little steel "beards" and the only way to clean them off is to use something sticky -- you can't just blow or brush them off. (Wrap a piece of tape sticky-side out around your finger and dab the poles with the tape.)

Steel wool particles can also work themselves inside the pickup where they have the potential to cause problems.

I agree! Those little metal pieces get everywhere from the steel wool, I hate using it. Good luck getting it all off of your clothing, work area, guitar parts and pickups. Fine for scrubbing pots and pans, but I won't get steel wool anywhere near my guitars.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

1200 grit Scotchbrite pad (white) will do the job without making a "metal mess"..........

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

a very fine sandpaper.

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Fender Standard Stratocaster
Maton ER90C

I just did this yesterday to two of my Strats at the kitchen table,with the guitars laying on an old towel....I didn't have to get a haz-mat team to clean the place up afterwards...or the guitars....or me.