Newbie Questions About Finishing a Maple Neck

[kd]

Hello folks, this is my first post. I've done some reading and found answers to some of my question but not all. I have some question about how to finish the back of a new neck. It will be installed on a 2011 Fender American Standard body which has the neck tilt mechanism installed. I plan on buying an unfinished Warmoth maple neck with rosewood board. I want to finish the back of the neck with minwax wipe on poly.

1. Will the tilt mechanism in the body cause any problem for a new Warmoth neck?
2. Should I use 0000 steel wool or the green 3M scouring pads between coats and what should I use to clean up the dust?
3. How many coats of poly do you suggest?
4. Also, do I need to finish down into the tuner holes?
5.    Is 320 grit the correct grit to use to finish the neck before the first coat of poly?

Thank you, any help will be much appreciated.

 

[Cagey]

1. Will the tilt mechanism in the body cause any problem for a new Warmoth neck?

No, it won't cause problems, but unless you install a bearing surface on the neck heel, I wouldn't use the adjuster. The adjuster needs to bear against something other than wood, or it'll just dig in.

2. Should I use 0000 steel wool or the green 3M scouring pads between coats and what should I use to clean up the dust?

Steel wool makes a nasty mess. Use the 3M stuff. As for clean-up, naphtha is pretty effective and inexpensive. Plus, it won't hurt anything.

3. How many coats of poly do you suggest?

Usually you use a lot less poly than you do lacquer or any of the other finishes. 2 or 3 coats may be enough.

4. Also, do I need to finish down into the tuner holes?

No. In fact, that can cause you problems. Most tuners are more or less a press-fit, so you don't want anything in there that's going to reduce the diameter of the hole.

5.    Is 320 grit the correct grit to use to finish the neck before the first coat of poly?

That's what I use, and it generally works out well.

 

[kd]

Thank you cagey, I really do appreciate it. Don't want mess up new neck.

Ken