Ok, so I'm planning on finishing over some stickers I have on my bass, because I want them there permanently. There's really nothing special about them, so what would you recommend for use as a finish? Keep in mind I know next to nothing about finishing a bass, so try and keep it simple:) thanks a bundle

Goto Home Depot and buy some Table Top finish, it's a thick liquid epoxy type finish that will adhere to anything. You will have to brush on thin coats to prevent runs and sags, and sand it smooth, but this is the only thing I know that won't bubble up the stickers.

I live in the middle of Iowa, and there's not a Home Depot for quite a ways. Is there anything fairly common that would do the job? Would the stickers still bubble up even if I use a very thin coat over the top of them?

Because stickers are essentially paper, once a clearcoat paint or something similar soaks into the paper, it'll bubble up and get ruined.

The TableTop clear epoxy doesn't soak into paper, it solidifies over it. So it won't soak the edges of the stickers.

Yeah, you've gotta put some miles into this project, but getting the right stuff for the right job is gonna make you far happier 5 years down the line when your finish is still looking good.

you can order it online from Woodcraft, or Rockler

I spose a road trip is in order then:) thanks a lot guys.

Which part is the middle? When I look at a map the middle is somewhere between Ames and Des Moines. There are plenty of Home Depots, Menard's, maybe a couple Sutherland's left in the area.

OK, so let's say the middle of Iowa not a metropolitan area. That means you have a county seat within 15 miles (roughly). A typical Iowa county seat has a town square. Look for the court house, the Baptist Church, and the hardware store. Ask the clerk at the hardware store... they need your money more than Home Depot's share holders anyway.

PS - if you must go to Des Moines, grab me a dozen soft shells at Tasty Tacos. ;)