Kiwi Shoe Polish for Fender Necks?

[Tim Skrocki]

I have a couple of MIM Fenders with maple necks and they're pretty white. I know that some people use Kiwi Brown shoe polish to darken necks.

I'd like Dan's opinion on this. Aside from sanding, is there a way to un-do this? Will these neck ever amber on their own with their poly sealer?

 

[Fast Eddie Clarke]

Well, I'm not Dan, that'sfersure - but -

I've done exactly that Kiwi shoe polish thing and the color came right off again when I polished it using some relatively gentle cutting compound meant for car paint.

It feels like the waxy color really is still a layer on top and doesn't necessarily stain the poly itself. Sure you can put it on the neck and then polish it with a soft cloth unitl you'd swear there's no more shoe stuff on there, and still retain an amber tint. But I'm pretty sure you can always get rid of it again with some 'car paint rejuvenating polish'.

I know what you mean by disliking that white maple, talk about taking your eye out with brightness. I'm even thinking that I might get the luthier to add some small amount of ambering lacquer to the neck of my '59 Esquire when it goes off for a refret - the damn thing still looks lighter than my '52RI neck after 40 odd years.

Now, you don't have that problem much with Les Pauls... Perhaps you need to explore the dark side? I love the warm light color of mahogany, oooh yes, like an exemplary Cuban cigar or something - rich and satisfying.

At least I hope it was for whatshername.

 

[Tim Skrocki]

Re: Well, I'm not Dan, that'sfersure - but -

Thanks for the reply Eddie. I think I'll hold off on applying the Kiwi for now.

BTW: I have a 2000 Les Paul Special SL w/ Humbuckers. I would have gone for the P-90 model, but I needed something with humbuckers to balance out my Teles & Strats. ;-)