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How do you finish the inside area of a slot head? It seems that it would be tough to level sand and wet sand that surface and impossible to buff. Maybe buffing isn't necessary in this area, but what about level sanding? ...especially without sanding through at the tuner holes.

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

It's like buffing the inside of the scroll on an F5 mandolin.
I sand with 120 before finish and 220 and 400 before the final coats and call that good enough. Anyone that wants it spotless in there doesn't want one of my guitars...or mandolins for that matter.

Last one I did I level sanded to 2000 and hand buffed. I used drafting erasers cut into convenient shapes. It was a PITA. I like Haans' method better.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

You can glue sandpaper to HPL and make some home made emery boards. That helps smooth things up. I brush on lacquer in that area before spraying the neck, level it as best I can , and not worry too much about it.

My big buffer gets the ramps no problem and my finish off the gun is usually good enough that I don't need to worry about the sides of the slot.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I have told prospective clients that if they want the inside of the scroll polished or slots polished, the added price is $1K. Have never felt that those were important. It's another case of where manufacturers are catering to those that are more interested in the absolute perfection of the fit and finish than anything else, like tone.
Handmade instruments have maker's marks.

I get it up to 320 then use a rag with polish and proceed like I am shining shoes.

I am going to Tru-oil on the string slots.

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I use Waterlox on my necks (high solids modified tung oil), and finish like jfmckenna does. I like a satin finish
neck. Haven't had anyone complain about them yet.

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Gene

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

I sand the area (including the ramp) as I'm applying varnish (between coats) but the final coat, I just leave it gloss varnish. I do not wet sand and buff the inside of the slots or the ramp. Once you buff the front and back of the headstock, it all blends right together.

I don't sand or buff the inside of the slots' finish, but if it's light colored wood I stain it pretty dark before finishing to keep the area as shadowy and inconspicuous as is practical.