Author Topic: Gloss finishes on necks and what to do about them! (Read 14204 times)

WezV · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2006, 08:37:59 PM »

to be honest it probably wouldnt be a problem with BKP's but on cheaper pickups the wirewool dust can easily gather in a place that might cause shorts to occur. (i.e around the ferrules on a strat pickup).
Some people might argue that the extra mass of metal might alter inductance, but i think that going a bit far. what might happen is that you will get a plume of metal fillings that comes off a polepiece and interferes with a string.

At the very least you will end up with furry looking pickups :D

For the few seconds it takes to apply a few strips of masking tape i think it is a worthy precaution. It keeps everything clean and tidy

downrodeo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2006, 09:35:41 PM »

i found some steel wool lying about, but I don't know what grade of wool it is, whether it's superfine 0000 or not (as recommended). Here's a picture of it, though I should really just go down to the corner hardware store and get some. When I'm in the process of removing the gloss should I go up and down or laterally, from side to side?

Searcher · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2006, 05:27:25 AM »

Sand it along the length of the neck.

WezV · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2006, 12:12:32 PM »

I dont think thats fne enough, it will leave nasty scratches if its too rough. I would buy some more to make sure its 0000 you are using but i dont think you will find it in your local hardware shop unless they stock lots of high quality, specialist finishing supplies. I used to have a shop across the road that sold it but they have closed down and been turned into a chippy.

lordofthestrings · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:30:36 PM »

I wanted to "speed up" the glossy neck on my PRS, adid the following after some advice from the guys on the PRS forum.

get yourself some Micromesh, ( I got mine from Stewmac), and work through the different grades from 1500 upwards. First, the neck will go matte, but as you progress through the grades, it will start to polish up. It will eventually end up looking like glass, but will feel astonishingly smooth, with no stickiness at all. Micromesh is genius stuff.

_tom_ · « **Reply #20 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:52:58 PM »

Quote from: lordofthestrings

I wanted to "speed up" the glossy neck on my PRS, adid the following after some advice from the guys on the PRS forum.

get yourself some Micromesh, ( I got mine from Stewmac), and work through the different grades from 1500 upwards. First, the neck will go matte, but as you progress through the grades, it will start to polish up. It will eventually end up looking like glass, but will feel astonishingly smooth, with no stickiness at all. Micromesh is genius stuff.

Where do you get this from? I want to try it on my LP now!

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:56:02 PM »

Quote from: lordofthestrings

I wanted to "speed up" the glossy neck on my PRS, adid the following after some advice from the guys on the PRS forum.

get yourself some Micromesh, ( I got mine from Stewmac), and work through the different grades from 1500 upwards. First, the neck will go matte, but as you progress through the grades, it will start to polish up. It will eventually end up looking like glass, but will feel astonishingly smooth, with no stickiness at all. Micromesh is genius stuff.

thas cool, but personally, i think that matt finish on guitars looks better anyway

lordofthestrings · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:58:16 PM »

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Abrasives,_polishes,_buffers/Micro-Mesh_Sandpaper_Kit.html

Tom, I ordered mine on a Friday, and it got to me by the Tuesday. Stunning.

You'll want to give all your guitars the treatment once you've done it!

cheers

Nick

_tom_ · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2006, 09:37:30 PM »

Its a bit dear! Could be worth it though I guess. When you say 1500 and up, are the higher numbers the finer grades? I dont know much about that kinda stuff as you can tell :P

Oh yeah, did you have to pay customs or any tax?

lordofthestrings · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2006, 10:10:28 PM »

yes, 1500 is the coarsest grade, and they go up to about 8000 iirc.
cost isn't too, bad, I didn't pay any tax or anything. Worked out about 30 quid all in. But remember, the kit will last you absolutely ages if you wash them out and put them back into the bags.

lordofthestrings · « **Reply #25 on:** July 02, 2006, 10:11:49 PM »

btw, if you decide to get some and you want any advice, don't hesitate to pm me.

deg0ey · « **Reply #26 on:** July 02, 2006, 10:42:47 PM »

The strat I bought off ebay has a few annoying scratches on the back of the neck - reckon that micromesh stuff would get them out? And would you use it on the bodywork to buff it up again slightly or not?

Very tempted to get me some of this stuff...

lordofthestrings · « **Reply #27 on:** July 03, 2006, 08:34:32 AM »

yup, in both cases. very light with the 1500 so as not to go through the clearcoat, then work up through the grades.

_tom_ · « **Reply #28 on:** July 03, 2006, 10:42:44 AM »

This means I can also get rid of the scratches I accidentally put on my strats pickguard :D Gotta get some of this stuff.

WezV · « **Reply #29 on:** July 03, 2006, 05:32:37 PM »

you can also get it at craft-supplies.co.uk

http://craft-supplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/MM050||micro~@c~@b|40|user|1,0,0,1|45|

They do a deluxe finishing kit and individual sheets.

I havnt tried it on a lacquered neck yet, i would have fought that you would just be buffing the finish back up to shiny. I dont see how it would help with he non-stick finish but i havnt tried it so cant say it wont.

Its certainly good stuff, i keep a set for fret polishing.