1994 Ray - 'Satiny' neck finish upkeep

[Boris]

Hi

I've had my Ray for 10 years. It has a gorgeous satin neck finish and a maple fretboard...

I was wondering about upkeep and the best substance to

a) lift the grime out of the wood (there's a fair bit of yuck in there)
b) reapply (if needed)

Also, I'm just taking delivery of a Fender Jazz with a stripped neck. Is there a technique to recreating the satin feel on my Ray on a bare maple neck? How many coats...do I need to buff it etc etc

Cheers

Boris

 

[bovinehost]

Boris - is there a visible line where the back of the neck meets the back of the headstock?

 

[Boris]

Satiny neck...

Yup,

The back of the neck is slightly darker on the back up to a defined line where the neck goes into the headstock...

Boris

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Not Satin...that's oil and wax.

(got ya Jack!)

 

[Boris]

Hi All

What's the best way to clean the oil and wax finish and keep it in good shape?

Also, with a bare maple jazz neck, how do I replicate the 'oil and wax' finish?

Cheers

Boris

 

[bovinehost]

This is in the forum somewhere, but I don't mind cutting and pasting it in:

How to care for your neck:

1. Sand it smooth with 600 wet or dry sandpaper backed by a rectangular eraser. If there are any dents in the back of the neck you can raise them with steam by putting the edge of a damp terrycloth towel over the dent and then iron it with the tip of a hot iron. The steam will raise the dent. Simply sand the neck smooth after you raise the dents.

2. Dip one finger tip in Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil and rub the oil into the neck with your clean hands. You can get the Tru-Oil at a gun store. Use just enough oil to cover the neck and wipe all excess off the neck.

3. Put the bass in a stand with the fingerboard toward the stand and allow it to dry complelely. This usually takes 1 to 2 days.

4. If the neck has more shine than you want, gently polish it with 0000 Steel Wool.

5. After the gunstock oil, EB also recommends Birchwood-Casey Tru-Wax, but I like mine just fine right now.


The Tru-Oil is gunstock oil and can be found anywhere from gun shops to Walmart, although let's be clear, I'm not saying anyone should go to Walmart. But you could if you had to.

I don't use the wax, but assume it's available at the same places.

This should also answer the question of how to replicate the oil and wax finish on your bare maple neck.

Hope that helps!

Jack