Guitar neck finish?

[David Bowes]

What is the best finish for guitar necks? I have used  a number of coats water bases varnish but it gets dirty/ sticky, what do you use/ recommend?

Regards David

[RTZGUITARS]

polyurethane is a hassle, lacquer takes to many coats and time. I have been using walnut oil and sanding each coat. 4 or 5 coats. No solvents chemicals you my need to reapply some oil later but if the dog eats it he will be fine.

[The Phrygian Kid]

*like*

You absolutely do not need to use anything toxic. Even oil from your kitchen will work great

[David Bowes]

Thank you for all the replays, silly question but do you fit the frets first?

DBOWES

[Jim Woods]

I use Danish Oil & do the first coat prior to sawing fitting & filing the frets,  The second coat coners the blemishes created by the fretting process.  If I am just woodburning the fret lines / markers I do them first so I can fine sand the burn roughness away.

[Michael Cuell]

I use Zinnser spray shellac followed by Tru-oil. Shellac is a pretty much "under anything" finish that seals the wood so you can add the top coat. You could just use shellac.

[John Sawyer]

I'm surprised no one mentioned boiled linseed oil... Something about it just screams old-school finish. . .  just pay attention to the warnings:  dispose of rags in a water filled metal paint can, or lay them out someplace fire proof to dry.  Don't wad them up in your trash, unless you want a trash fire...

[Greg Roberts]

I use minwax antique finishing oil and do 3 coats sanded with 1500 in between coats and buff real good shines nice and seems to wear well

[jawbone]

Do you guys (and gals) use a different finish for the necks as opposed to the rest of the body or just One for All and All for One??