Sticky Varathane Issue on Neck

[Matt Haugen]

I had to refinish a guitar neck and decided to try using Varathane. It is a spray stain/urathane availabe a big box home stores. I put light coats on every 8 hours (roughly).  The directions called for waiting 4 hours. I scuff sanded in between each coat. I applied my final coat approximately 10 hours ago and as I was moving my hand along the neck I felt tugs along the way, as if some areas on the neck are still tacky. I am concerned that this takiness will remain and make playing the guitar unenjoyable. Now, I plan on giving this guitar time to dry, but assuming this issue persists, is there a top coat I should be using? I remember seeing a thread aboout a sticky neck a while back, but haven't had luck finding it. Thank you for any advice.

Matt

[Mark Fogleman]

The technical data sheet for the Varathane Polyurethane/Stain finish says:

"Surface can be recoated within 2 hours or after 48 hours. If recoating after 48 hours, repeat the surface preparation."  Then it contradicts with: "A second coat can be applied after 4 hours".   I would experiment on a scrap of the neck wood prepared same as your completed neck (ie:sanded, filled, sealed, etc), spray and wait for 48hrs between coats.  You need to rub it down well with 0000 steel wool or a grey scotch pad between coats to prevent a plastic dipped finish.

http://www.rustoleumibg.com/images/tds/Varathane_OneStepStain_and_P...

I don't see many necks finished with PU but if that is all you have it can work.  I much prefer Truoil cured in sunlight and scuffed with grey scotch pad between coats.  

[Paul Verticchio]

Matt,

With the "trial" use of any product, there's a risk factor and the possibility of failure.

I'd never consider using that product for guitar necks. It's intended uses includes items that rarely come into contact with the skin.  Notice that it is NOT recommended for floors, and its inability to dry super hard may be a factor. I have a lackadaisical  personal belief that nothing with the words "Rustoleum" or "Krylon" should ever be allowed near a guitar.

I found that when using poly & stain (on things other than guitars) that the stain mixed with the poly causes drying problems. Nowadays I stain first, let it dry thoroughly and then use a poly finish.

Since this was a "refin", I suspect you took the neck down to bare wood.  At that point, I'd have used nitro lac as it's working properties are well known, understood and predictable.  That's why it's the industry standard.

I'm still co-rolling with Rusty on the application of industry standard remedies, if for nothing else, in consideration of the next person who needs to work on the instrument. Oh ya, and the fact that standards are tried & true, time proven & successful methods.

Mark, thanks for the TD on the product. You mentioned Truoil.  I've seen it mentioned in several posts and am a bit concerned.

As a note, all quality aftermarket neck makers will not warrant their products if they are finished in Truoil (by name), china oil, tung oil, no finish, etc. They claim, and I agree, that those finishes do not provide adequate protection form body oils & acids, humidity, dirt, MOISTURE or other aggravating atmospheric considerations. All of those factors can be associated with a neck's ability to remain stable and its overall longevity or service life.

Ya, I know some guys like the feel of raw wood (usually because one of their 'idols' plays on a bare neck....a misguided approach). I patently refuse to implement any of those 'bare neck/oil' techniques for the same reasons mentioned above and I've lost a few repair opportunities because of it. I don't mind because I've seen more than a few vintage instruments where the neck stability has been irreversibly compromised due to the finish having been removed a couple of decades ago.  I've actually seen what I call 'neck rot' on those instruments. I don't wish to be a merchant of that approach.

Another drawback of oil finishes is the need for annual reconditioning. 98.63% of guitarists will forget to do this.....ever.  I pulled that number right out of my bum..but you get my gist ;)

If further discussion is warranted about using oil finishes on necks, how about we start a new thread?

In summary: Matt, you chose a less than ideal product to use. No foul.  We've all done it at one time or another. (...and another...and yet another).  Save yourself a lot of time & frustration and re-strip, stain & finish using nitro lac.

Best of luck guys :)

[Paul Young]

I agree, nitro is the way to go.