#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Smoothing the neck

Aloha everyone! I am finishing two necks and decided to try a different finish after about a dozen builds. I used Minwax clear lacquer spray with a semi-gloss finish. I used about 6 very light coats on the first neck and find that the nice, smooth neck now feels slightly rough. Not terrible, but not smooth. Should I use steel wool on the finish, add more coats of lacquer, or?

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on June 27, 2016 at 7:15am

Thanks, Wayfinder. You are always there with common sense answers.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on June 27, 2016 at 6:51am

You can also go over it with a brown paper bag. Works like very fine sandpaper or steel wool.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on June 27, 2016 at 7:15am

I'm going to try that. Thanks.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on June 27, 2016 at 7:44am

I happened to have a brown paper bag collecting trash, took a piece and rubbed the neck - It is smooth as a baby's ...! Here are a couple of pics of the neck, a laminate of oak and mahogany, with a mango fretboard.

Attachments:

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on June 27, 2016 at 8:17am

Nice.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on June 27, 2016 at 10:57am

Dampen with water. Leave to dry. Sand.. Repeat.. Repeat.. Repeat. Add first coat.. Sand with fine sandpaper wipe down. Add second coat. Add third..

I use boiled linseed..

Wetting brings out the stray woodgrain. So does finishing.

What to avoid.. Usually a shiny coat at the back of the neck of a guitar leaves it sticky.. You want it to be slippery..

Trial and error.. It worked for me :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on June 27, 2016 at 11:01am

Thanks. I'm going to try this on a future build.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott W on June 27, 2016 at 12:58pm

Nice looking build. The advice given is all good. You can use fine sandpaper (400 wet) to also level the coats and eliminate any raised grain. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JL on June 28, 2016 at 1:01am

Finish coats always retain some fingerprint of the method used to apply it, brush strokes, aerosolized micro-beads settling on the wood, dust from the air, etc. polishing the cured finish cuts it smooth, ultra-fine grit sandpaper or steel wool usually do the trick.

like the final polishing of a glass lens after grinding the shape.