Neck Finish Inquiry ; High Gloss vs. Semi Gloss

[MetalManiac]

Neck Finish Question ; High Gloss vs. Semi Gloss.

I am going to be spraying the Warmoth neck for my American Standard Tele Body, and am undecided between Gloss or Semi Gloss for the Maple Fretboard.

I just seen that the new American Standard Teles have a "High Gloss ( Polyurethane) Finish" on the Maple fretboard ( back is Satin Poly).

I might go ahead and spray the neck Gloss, but I have a concern.
First off..I tend to be a first class klutz when spraying paint, although I am reasonably confident enough to do a job with Semi Gloss that is acceptable to my standards, and looks good.

How much harder would it be to spray High Gloss? I have read where High Gloss needs to be sprayed more perfectly than Low Gloss or it will show imperfections to a higher degree.

Should I play it safe and do a Semi Gloss instead, or given my lack of painting skilles, should I go with a Satin finish and avoid working with the glossy stuff all togehther?

This really isn't about feel. I'm more concerned with cosmetics on this particular axe.

[the guy who invented fire]

The gloss or lack of gloss won't matter in terms of spraying it...if both are a polyurethane for example they will both spray about the same.

As for preference I don't have one...

[ratherdashing]

With the store-bought stuff, the amount of "gloss" is due to particles they put in the finish. It will not affect the feel. Full gloss is completely clear, semi-gloss has a few particles, and satin has lots of particles. They do this to make it easy for Joe Home Owner to get a "matte look" right out of the can.

A professional guitar finish uses completely clear poly or nitro sprayed on in several coats, then fine sanded until it reaches the desired level of gloss.

[atreidesheir]

I used Deft semi-gloss on a fender neck refinish last summer. I hate the feel of it. Strings feel like they hang on the finish when bent.
I plan to spray some high gloss over it soon. The quality of your effort at wet sanding has a lot to do with it too.

[King IzzO)))]

Prep and sanding usually have a lot more to do with how well it turns out. Sand more, do more coats, if necessary. I just redid a Jackson neck and it turned out better than I hoped, looks like a factory job. I used just used behlein sanding sealer and top coat lacquer in spray cans.

You being a klutz, maybe a rub on finish like tru-oil would be easier, and it's supposed to feel real nice too.

[gibson175]

satin polyurethane....that way its hard to notice you have sanded the back of the neck with 400 grit for a super fast feel.

[atreidesheir]

I tried truoil on a neck once. Its simplicity is overstated I think. I never could get the fantastic shine you see from some people. But lucky for me you can spray nitro right over it.

I usually think high gloss looks better. My favorite neck is semi-gloss, but I probably need the more professional grade of lacquer to get results. The hardware store semi-gloss did not deliver for me and I have woodworking experience (not luthiery though).

[MetalManiac]

The Problem Ive ahd with all other Polys is twofold. Brush on Poly is almost impossible to work with, and all over the other Polys Darken the wood, and dont give much protection.
I dont want to do a two step procedure that needs a clear coat either.
In fact, I dont even want to sand, except some light steel-wooling between coats..this is the 21st Century folks.
I think *this stuff I'm gonna show ya is gonna be revolutionary for folks who want a POly that goes on almost effortlessly and is foolproof..and doesnt impart ANY coloration or darkening to the wood ( which is okay when thats what you want, but terrible when you are trying to match a Fender natural Ash Body thats been Factory Glossed.

I just odered *THIS Rustoleum Varathane water based Crytal Clear Non Yellowing spray in Gloss ( they also have Semi Gloss and Satin). Provides tough protection.


http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-Var.../dp/B000XD7LZG

[MetalManiac]

satin polyurethane....that way its hard to notice you have sanded the back of the neck with 400 grit for a super fast feel.

I might do the back in Satin Poly..thats the way Fender does their American Std. Teles now- Gloss fretboard and Satin back.

[Quibby]

Legit question. Are the frets on? If so, and you spray it, wont the laquer whatever start to flake off around the frets, theory being if the frets are off and then you spray, the installed frets will "hold down the laquer up to the fret slots?

I've only ever used rosewood boards, so no experience with a varnished board

[King IzzO)))]

You spray right over the frets on a maple board. Scrape it off later.

[ItsaBass]

I think if you really want a gloss neck, but are unsure of your ability to get it good, I would hold off on spraying it, and spend some time practicing on blocks of wood and junk necks. You will get good at it with some practice. If you really want gloss, but you spray matte just because it is easier, it might be that you will never be happy with the neck.

The other thing is that it doesn't cost TON to have a neck alone professionally finished. Yeah, it's money, but not completely outrageous for pro-quality work that will give you exactly what you want and leave you free of worry. The place I go to charges $153 to finish a maple neck, and an extra $41 if it is a refin that needs to be stripped first. Maybe that is a bit high, but worth it to me if something really is a keeper.