How could I remove a dent on a guitar neck?

[Diavolo]

There is a little dent in the back of the neck behind the 3rd fret on one of my old guitars.
Looks like a previous owner leaned it against a table sort of thing.

How can I remove the dent?
I've heard about steaming them out.
Is that a thing, and if so whats the process?

I really like this guitar and don't want to risk messing it up by making it worse.
Any info is appreciated.

 

[SoundDesign]

Steaming is a thing but I would expect it produces a lot better results with soft woods and unfinished wood.

 

[Triple Jim]

I'd leave it alone. It's another one of those identifying marks to prove ownership.

 

[SoundDesign]

I'd leave it alone. It's another one of those identifying marks to prove ownership.

Chicks dig scars...

 

[surf green]

This should be pretty easy. The neck is finished with gloss polyurethane, so using the same would be 1st choice. Two types, oil base poly (longer drying time), water base ploy (quick drying). Lightly sand the dent and about 1" around it w/200 grit. Tape off a 1" square area around the dent w/masking tape. With a small flat artist brush, place a drop of poly in the dent. When near dry, another drop to level the dent w/the neck, again near dry, coat the taped in area. Near dry, pull the tape and let dry. Completely cured and fully hardened, take a small wood block, wrapped with 200, sand the poly area
up and down with the wood grain, until poly is near level w/neck.re Again with 300, then 400, still with the block and again without, only increase the area to blend the repair. You can even sand the entire neck lightly w/the 300 and 400 until you get the desired (feel) finish.
You can also use epoxy in place of poly, but the repair may be noticeable when complete. Any question, let me know.

 

[DrBeGood]

This should be pretty easy. The neck is finished with gloss polyurethane, so using the same would be 1st choice. Two types, oil base poly (longer drying time), water base ploy (quick drying). Lightly sand the dent and about 1" around it w/200 grit. Tape off a 1" square area around the dent w/masking tape. With a small flat artist brush, place a drop of poly in the dent. When near dry, another drop to level the dent w/the neck, again near dry, coat the taped in area. Near dry, pull the tape and let dry. Completely cured and fully hardened, take a small wood block, wrapped with 200, sand the poly area
up and down with the wood grain, until poly is near level w/neck.re Again with 300, then 400, still with the block and again without, only increase the area to blend the repair. You can even sand the entire neck lightly w/the 300 and 400 until you get the desired (feel) finish.
You can also use epoxy in place of poly, but the repair may be noticeable when complete. Any question, let me know.

Super glue (cyanoacrylate) will also do a good job. Get the thicker one (medium vicosity). Make sure the neck is leveled where the dent is so nothing drips.
As for sanding, with the finish being poly, I don't think going with or across the grain will make any difference. There's no grain left on a thick plastic like poly surface.

 

[blackspider57]

The neck is finished with gloss polyurethane

Would fingernail polish or model airplane/car paint work?

 

[DrBeGood]

Would fingernail polish or model airplane/car paint work?

Not for that deep a depression. It is meant to be apply in thin coats.

 

[WurWulf]

I would sand it down to raw wood get some StewMac colortone in maple fill it sand it refinish it I dont like a lot of finish on the neck os I wood most likely sand the whole neck and finish with your choice.

 

[Syco]

damp rag and soldering iron .

 

[blackspider57]

Not for that deep a depression. It is meant to be apply in thin coats.

Thank you

 

[dpang2836]

I would sand it down to raw wood get some StewMac colortone in maple fill it sand it refinish it I dont like a lot of finish on the neck os I wood most likely sand the whole neck and finish with your choice.



View attachment 252959

I wouldn't use Rosewood Filler on back of Neck unless you have a solid Rosewood Neck! Tough to hide a Dent unless you are ready to maybe Refinish Back, if all else fails! I have tried to fill a few and mostly give up before I make it worst! You can get little Cans of Wood Dough in different Colors from Lowe's and Home Depot.

 

[2k5Bullet]

My Squier Bullet has the same type of dent at the 6th/7th fret only at the skunk stripe, not nearly as deep though, it feels more like a long ripple. I just sanded what felt like a pin head sized tip of a break in the gloss poly smooth & just live with it. Plays fine.