Stripping Finish Off Mahogany Neck

[torpedovegas]

Hi Guys,

So recently I was hired on as an instructor at Guitar Center.  With the discount there it's too hard to not pass up picking up an Epi ES-335 that I was really impressed with.  Trouble is, ever since switching to roasted maple on my strat necks I can't stand glossy finish on necks anymore.

I was wondering if it was advisable to strip the finish off Mahogany necks and what you guys would recommend resealing it with.  I should also add there is a cream binding.

 

[Cagey]

You have several problems there. First, that's finished with polyurethane, and stripping that stuff is no fun at all. Second, Mahogany has a very open grain, so you'd need to fill it before you could finish it, and you don't want a finish anyway. But, finally, it doesn't matter because it's Mahogany, and you can't leave Mahogany without a finish. It'll warp and/or twist on you, which I'm sure you wouldn't want to happen. So, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but on the plus side, there's a big job you can cross off the list  :laughing7:

You could just get some 600 grit and sand on it for a while. That's make it feel a little better if gloss finishes really disagree with you.

 

[torpedovegas]

I mean, I personally wouldn't take it on... the repair guy at the store always gives me a great deal on that stuff.  I'm just doing some preliminary research to see if I would need to supply him with anything.

Would it be possible to strip it of the finish, fill it and then do some kind of oil sealant or satin urethane finish?

 

[Cagey]

Sure. Once it's stripped, you can finish it like any other wood, as long as it gets a finish. You just can't leave it raw. Satin Poly would be great.

 

[AirCap]

To get the FEEL you crave, stripping is not necessary. Just stroke it with some maroon or gray Scotchbrite a couple times to take the gloss off it. BOOM! You'll be there, and the neck will still have the protection of the hard finish.

 

[zebra]

I second what AirCap said.  That was my habit for a while - any time I acquired a new guitar, I went up and down the neck a couple of times with some Scotchbrite - instant satin, no fuss, no muss...

 

[Steve_Karl]

I agree with the grey scotchbrite satin trick. Did it on my G&L and it works and only takes a minute.

 

[Ace Flibble]

There's no point stripping a poly finish only to refinish it with urethane. You may as well just sand the existing finish until it's got the satin/matte feel you want; the end result is exactly the same, but far easier and quicker to do.

It'll take about 30 minutes to knock the shine off the finish, and another 30 minutes to get it completely even. Just get some 600, 800, and 1200 grit sand paper (I sometimes also use some 1500 wet & dry, if it's a guitar that's really worth getting perfect), mask off the areas you don't want to affect (body, binding/fret ends, headstock sides & face), lay down some old newspaper, and go to town.