question about taking off paint/lacquer on guitar neck

SpaceFace · Post by **SpaceFace** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:57 pm

Hey everyone I was hoping someone could help me out with this, I took the paint/lacquer off the neck of this crappy acoustic I have yesterday and I love the way the neck feels now because of it. However I kinda did a pretty crude job with it (just scraped it off with a guitar pick) and it needless to say didnt come out perfect in fact in spots it seems like s little layer of wood came off with it. It still plays fine which is awesome but obviously if I was going to do this to another guitar of mine I wouldnt want it to come out so shotty. If anyone can steer me in the direction of a how to type of thing or just any suggestions on it, it would be greatly appreciated.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:07 pm

er... maybe use sandpaper instead of a guitar pick.

SpaceFace · Post by **SpaceFace** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:15 pm

yeah I looked for some and didnt have any, and once I started I just didnt stop.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:19 pm

SpaceFace wrote:yeah I looked for some and didnt have any, and once I started I just didnt stop.

This is how unwanted children are born.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:23 pm

HOW?

I cannot imagine removing lacquer with a guitar pick to where it feels good, you must've had some black juju on your side. Consider me spooked.

Getting some fine grit sandpaper to it and then doing a clear satin seal will preserve what you like about it while rectifying what you don't, I'd assume. There's no reason you can't make the acoustic neck great before you have a go at this on the other guitar, it'll be good practice if nothing else.
Zakk Wylde (and some real guitarists too) shave the lacquer/some wood back on the back of their necks for a slimmer, satiny feel like that.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:34 pm

i know what you speak of. i've done the same thing in a few spots (accidentally) on my rogue dreadnought. if i were you i'd use a fairly dull razor blade and take your time. sand paper will work, but remember, it's wearing it down, not chipping it away. the sandpaper is good, but it will take longer, and can end up being a bit more tedious.

maybe rub it down with some lacquer thinner first, and then scrape lightly until you get to the wood. if it starts giving you trouble, stop. you can always come back to that spot.

christ speed.