Recording Website Forum Archive

In Reply to: Taking the gloss finish off of a guitar neck. posted by E. on December 25, 2000 at 02:21:52 PM:

If you want the finish removed and not just deglossed,
you must do the following:
1) IF fender is still using nitrocellulose lacquers
to finish their instruments, you can use MEK (methyl,
ethyl, ketone) and rub it off, either with #000, #0000,
or #00000, steel wool,... or a cloth. Remember, MEK
melts lacquer back into solution. IF you use this
method, you will NOT be removing any of the wood like
you would with sandpaper.a By the way, use some serious
ventilation, and plenty of MEK.
2) IF fender is using something other than nitrocellulose
lacquer these days, you will either have to chemically
strip it (always use the premium deluxe remover, it's
cheaper and better in the long run per use).....OR you
will have to sand it. Remember, this chemical remover
will get a lot messier than regular MEK and steel
wool, ALso, you probably wouldn't have a very easy time
keeping a "soft edge" where the finish removal ends (here, you
would probably have to feather it in with sandpaper even
if you did use the chemical remover).
And like the other guy said, remove the neck and
tuners.

If you just want the finish to have a lower gloss
level, then you can either steel wool it with #0000 or
so, or sand it with 800 or thereabouts wet/dry
sandpaper using
paint thinner.

Follow Ups: