finish touch up

[vtpcnk]

i have a strat neck by usacg. the headstock is not exactly strat (due to licensing i think) - it has a slight protrusion on the head curve.

but i think with a sandpaper it can be leveled out.

but the neck is already finished and the tech says if he levels it out, the laquer will also be rubbed out (in that particular spot) in the process.

so what are the options for this? can i use some oil to touch up that spot? or any other option?

appreciate the insights.

 

[mark1178]

Depends on how big the protrusion is. Sanding it down, mashing it down rubbing it down will definitely take some of the lacquer off. I would sand down as little as possible, then go over it very lightly with some thin lacquer with a paint brush and get it as close as possible. Or sand out the whole part of the curve and paint over it to get a more consistent finish.

Do you have any pics available?

I'm surprised you didn't send it back

 

[Orpheo]

that shape is exactly how it's supposed to be due to licencing issues.

 

[tylereot]

Your options are pretty limited: refinish the whole neck after you perform the surgery, touch up the lacquer (which is never going to look quite right, or just enjoy it how it is.

 

[Cagey]

Your options are pretty limited: refinish the whole neck after you perform the surgery, touch up the lacquer (which is never going to look quite right, or just enjoy it how it is.

That's how I see it, too, although I'd add the dreaded eBay option to the list.

Also, I'm not sure "touch up the lacquer" is a valid choice. Depends on where the thing came from. Unless it was finished in someone's garage, it's unlikely there's lacquer on it. Not impossible, just unlikely. Lacquer is a pain in the ass for OEMs, so it's pretty rare to see it. Easy way to find out if that's what's actually on it would be to put a drop of acetone on a hidden part of the heel and see if the finish dissolves. If so, you'll know in a minute or less that it's lacquer. If it's poly (much more likely) it'll just stare at you. Then touch-up becomes a much larger problem.