Sanding down a neck and then...

[TheDan]

I'm currently restoring an old Chap that has seen plenty of action and is in a quite dismal state. Especially the neck has gotten it pretty good, lots of dents, scratches, the whole bit. So I figured if I sand down the neck I should be able to get rid of most of them plus bring out that beautiful 3 piece maple neck. Now to my surprise there is a thick coat of some brown paste or something under the paint that is quite a b**ch to get off. Does anybody know what that could be and why it was put on?

[Jem]

Probably some kind of sealer - a pic would help a million.

[murkat]

sealer, primer. Primer for the used to be, what was left of it, pearl finish on it.

[Steve Haynie]

Use a chemical stripper or heat to get up the finish if you can.  Steam out the dents.  Sanding can get weird results.