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What do you use? I had planned on finishing the neck with nitro this time, but it looks like it's gonna rain for the neck week solid. I'll probably start with a Tru-Oil finish this afternoon just to get this thing going. I've been very happy with the Tru-Oil, just thought I'd try nitro on this one.

So what do you like and why?

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

I do 4 different neck finishes. Most of my neck finishes are Behlen's Rockhard table top varnish next is French polish followed closely by Tru-oil and nitro.

I have found Rockhard to be the most resistant to hand sweat chemistry but some find it a bit plastic feeling. Tru-oil or Danish oil work well.

I have done a few waterborne acrylic lacquer necks but have had quite a few clients with hand sweat chemistry issues with them so I no longer offer necks in WBL

I think that letting a week's delay dictate your choice of finishes is a mistake.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

This is wise observation, relevant in many ways.

I agree with the statement, too. However, this is about more than a week's delay. It's all about timing and the amount of actual working days I have to do this thing. I have vacation scheduled to make a trip to Georgia, when I'll deliver this guitar to a friend. These are the only working days I have to get the neck done. I need to finish the neck this week because, otherwise, it would be delayed a couple more weeks because of some extra O/T I'm scheduled to work. This way it can cure while I'm out of pocket then when I get off I'll have a few days to level and buff everything and finish the setup. Body is nitro and was sprayed a couple of weeks ago. I ran out of nitro and the shipment also hasn't gotten here, to further complicate it.

My thing is, I'd rather rush the neck finish than rush the setup. Tru-oil has proven itself good to me and I know it will fit the timeframe. This schedule will allow at least a little time for the initial setup to settle in so I can fine tune it one more time before delivery. I dunno, looking back at my schedule, delivery is not until 10/26. Guess I'll have enough time to nitro the neck the last part of September and go ahead and set the guitar up a couple of days later. The neck can cure on the guitar then pull it off right before delivery to buff it out. Now I'm not sure hich way to go. Man, having a real job sure gets in the way, sometimes!

But your statement, Howard, does make me wonder. Do you have a problem rushing it because you think using Tru-oil is a mistake? Or just the idea of rushing, in general, to be bad practice (which I tend to agree with).

I am still interested in folks' choice of neck finishes, for discussion. Also interested in seeing your Tru-oil finishing schedule, for those who you it.

I keep meaning to try some Behlen's Rockhard - hear lots of good things.

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Hee, hee. You would know 10 minutes after posting this the nitro showed up. Was just fixing to make a call. FedEx tracking yesterday showed they took it back because they couldn't find the address. Oh, the beauty of living out in the sticks. Wouldn't trade it for nuthin'!

'Cept now I'm held up on my plan of starting Tru-oil this afternoon. Gotta make a decision...

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

I'm not an expert compared to most of the above comments. However, given that you stated it's raining,
which would not be good for spraying nitro, and that MichaelP (whose opinion I rate highly), put tru-oil
at the same level or higher than nitro, I'd go ahead with the tru-oil, which can safely be done inside, where
you'll have at least some control of temperature and humidity. Also, Tru-oil was originally developed as a
gunstock finish, which would need to be very resistant to human oil/acid from fingers.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Wes,
I've had good luck with zinsser dewaxed sanding sealer straight from the can. Brush it on with a foam brush being careful not to let any bubbles form. Do 2-3 coats a day for several days, then let sit for 2 weeks. Then level to 600 grit and steel wool out. I love the feel of a shellac neck. However, it will wear more than most other finishes. I haven't tried this yet, but you could use shellac for 5 coats, and varnish for 3 coats, and satin out the varnish after it has cured. It would be a more resistant finish that way. Good luck!

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com