Off Topic Removing lacquer from a neck

[Stevie]

Hi,

I have an old, supposedly Boogie strat copy neck from 25 years or so ago. It is lacquered and i now wish to remove the lacquer and have it finished in oil and wax. Those that have done so before, how would you attempt the project?

Thanks in advance.

 

[meckintosh]

Hey,

I did that many times and used steel wool.
Needs time and steady grip, but it gets the job done.
Afterwards...Carnuba wax.

 

[Stevie]

So you used steel wool, not sand paper at any stage to remove the lacquer?

 

[Larry]

Sand paper will get you there quicker but depending on grit of the paper it could end up taking longer to sand out the deeper scratches from the lower grit paper.

 

[Stevie]

and between the frets, the fretboard in general. sand paper there as well?

 

[meckintosh]

Only steel wool .. Sandpaper can leave ugly marks. Its more work for sure but it will pay off in the end.

 

[spkirby]

Take the neck off, it will make the job easier and keep those steel wool fibres off your pickups!

 

[killerburst]

If it's really lacquer (nitrocellulose), you can use acetone to wipe it off.

 

[dkannen]

I used fine grit sandpaper, but WET sanded it. This will give a smooth finish without any ugly marks.

 

[beej]

So Tommy here did this on my old Morse (and did a killer job). He used a furniture scraper to remove the lacquer and re-shape the neck. But he's a seasoned pro ... I'd probably just use sandpaper!