Finish sticky on neck

[Guitarfish]

I'm new here and a longtime lurker. I've owned a D-55 for a couple of years. I came here for help because this is the home of Guild knowledge as I see it. Anyway.... my problem is this; Though I've tried applying all different brands of guitar polish, after a few minutes of playing the neck develops a section that is sticky to the touch. It seems to me the finish just never catalyzed or something. I can polish it up and it's fine for awhile, but I would like a permanent fix.
Any one sure what kind of finish came standard? it's a 2006 Tacoma cannon

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

It may not be the finish.
I have the same problem with a few of my guitars and I have come to the conclusion that it's grunge build up.
I tries mild soap and water but that hasn't cleaned the neck as well as I want.
I was told that Naptha [lighter fluid] was a good cleaner and that it won't hurt the finish of a guitar.
Some luthiers use it to remove the gule, left on a guitar, after removing a pick guard.
I have not tried this yet.
Has anyone here used it?

 

[Qvart]

I have not tried this yet.
Has anyone here used it?

I used it to remove grime buildup on the fretboard of my '96 S-100. Worked great. Haven't had the need to try the application being asked about here, but I say give it a shot.

 

[GardMan]

My $0.02...

I believe your D-55 would have a nitrocellulose lacquer finish.

The back of the neck of a couple of my dreads will start to feel a little sticky... not so much soft, just not slick, when I play for any length of time. Somewhere, I read that this was likely a rxn between my body chemistry and the finish. I just wipe the back of the neck down with an old (clean) dry cotton diaper when it starts to feel that way... and then can go on playing. I also am careful to wipe down those guitars before I hang them up after playing. Don't know why all the necks on my dreads don't react this way... they are all NC finishes. I do notice that its a little more of a problem when the humidity or temp are higher... presumably because more sweat/oils are coming off my hands. Apparently, some peoples body chem is more likely to react than others...

The other thing to watch, if its just a patch, is REAL softening of the lacquer. When my D-35 was new (a LOOOONG time ago), I stored it in its (also new) hardshell case. Apparently, the plasticizer from the foam padding under the neck softened the finish in a spot the size of a half dollar right over the neck support. I tried leaving the guitar out (for nearly a year) to see if the lacquer would harden back up... and it never happened. I finally just scraped the soft lacquer off with my fingernail and a soft cloth... and have had a bare spot on the neck for the last 30 years. Probably not the wisest thing to do... but I plead youthful ignorance. In retrospect... I probably could have sent it back to the factory for warranty service... a little late for that now, I think. Just one of its (many) beauty marks that make it mine...

So, if its just a little "stickiness" when you play, wipe it down and go on playing. If the finish is really getting gummy and soft (if you fingernail leaves an impression), I would seek advice from a good luthier.

As I said... just my $0.02. YMMV.
Dave

Oh... and welcome to LTG!

 

[Guitarfish]

Yeah, I'm going to play with it tomorrow a little, since my Friday work just got cancelled. (Dang economy). I don't recall it actually being soft enough to scratch any of the finish off. I do have to wipe it while I'm playing just to move up and down the neck. I wish the problem was on one of my guitars I don't play as much. I appreciate the replies.

 

[Default]

I've used the lighter fluid trick to remove furniture polish and general grime from my SF III, which has a particularly thin finish.
Works great!

 

[jp]

Hey GF,

Check out this thread where our buddy coastie tries to conquer some nondescript goo. He claims victory with Sugar Soap. Never heard of it myself, but I haven't been around the block so many times when it comes to messing with finishes.