Refinishing your guitar neck with sealing oil

Guitar necks are a major part of the feel of a guitar. The neck is the first part of the guitar that is a direct contact to our fretting hand and it can immediately make us hate or like the guitar. It is by far one of the most important parts of the guitar that allow us to bond with the guitar. The back finishing of the guitar neck plays an important role of that feel too. Some of us like the feel of sticky lacquer while some of us like satin finish.

Sometimes, after playing for a long time, we find that our beloved guitar necks has stripped lacquer or worst, dings. Some of us like it, some of us don't. What if, you belong to the ones who don't, such as I?

There is a kind of finish that I will like to share with all my readers out there. It's known as Hand Rubbed Oil finish. Not only is this finish really easy to do, it also leaves the neck baby butt smooth. Sound too good to be true? Check this out.

First 2 above has been refinished with Hand rubbed Tru-Oil while the third picture has been finished with Hand rubbed Tung Oil. Tru-oil leaves the neck with a slight sheen while tung oil tends to have a satin surface. Both of them feel somewhat the same but Tung oil tends to turn to a golden hue over time.

Items you will need:

1. 300 grit, 600 grit, 1000 grit, 1500 grit sand paper.
2. Cloth (Preferably from old T-shirts)
3. Surgery gloves (You can actually do without these, just that you will have a hell of a time washing your hands later)
4. Time

Instructions:

1. Start off with sanding away the lacquer of the neck with 300 grit sand paper. Make sure you do not over sand at this point and change the shape of the neck.

2. After that is done, pour a healthy amount of the sealing oil (Tung or Tru) on the cloth.

3. Rub the oil into the wood by doing an up and down motion with your hand. Rub it until the wood feels dry.

4. Repeat step 2 and 3 a couple of times. (I usually do this 3 times)

5. Leave it to dry for at least 6 hours. (Depending on the kind of oil you use. leave it a day just to be safe)

6. Pour some oil on 300 grit sand paper and sand the oil on the back of the neck. This removes raised grains while at the same time drives more oil into the pores of the wood. Sand till the neck feels dry.

7. Repeat Step 3 to 5 again.

8. Pour some oil on 600 grit sand paper and sand the oil on the back of the neck. This is to smooth-en out the texture of the wood. Again, sand till the neck feels dry.

9. Repeat Step 3 to 5 again.

10. Pour some oil on 1000 grit sand paper and sand the oil on the back of the neck. Again, sand till the neck feels dry.

11. Repeat Step 3 to 5 again.

12. Pour some oil on 1500 grit sand paper and sand the oil on the back of the neck. This should be the final polishing of the neck. The neck should give u a glossy sheen by the time you are done with this step. Again, sand till the neck feels dry.

13. Repeat Step 3 to 5 again.

14. Lasty, repeat Step 3 to 4.

15. This time, leave it to dry for 2 days.

16. Buff it with buffing compound and finish it with Lemon pledge. That will leave the neck Baby butt smooth.

There, that ain't that hard is it? Do take some time to take a look at the video posted below. It shows you how to achieve a professional looking hand rubbed oil finish. Even if it's done on the table, the same principles can be applied on the neck. Lastly, enjoy that professional looking baby butt smooth neck and rock on!