Remove Decal Without Removing Finish?
 

I want to remove the logo from my Squier Bronco's headstock so I can get it autographed. I'd prefer to just take off the decal and NOT the clear coat... I don't really want to go all the way down to the wood.

I plan on having it autographed with a paint pen so I can add a protective clear coat afterwards (I understand Sharpie doesn't play well with most clears).

Will a paint stripper like Citristrip work? Or should I suck it up and sand it all down, lay down some more clear, and then get it inked?

Let's just say this autograph will make it a different kind of "Ash and Maple" bass...

Isn't the logo under the clear coat in the first place?
On my SX it was and I just sanded it all down to wood.

Gotta sand it down its under the clear

How about just getting a metallic Sharpie for good visibility, and autographing over the existing headstock and decal?

Metallic Sharpie would be OK, but I want this to replace the logo/ not be crowded by it. I suppose I'll just sand and give it a little clear.

Try a pink pencil eraser first. I have removed the Squire logos from some necks I have used on a couple of builds. They were both VM necks and neither logo was under the clear.

I sanded the logo off my Bronco without harming the finish. I think I used some cheap sanding block.

I've removed a Yamaha logo in a few seconds with acetone. Nail polish remover is probably the same thing cause it shure smell's like acetone. Of course, the logo was over the clear coat.

Nail polish remover is acetone, sometimes with perfume added. I've used it to remove stickers from a bass before with no problem. Acetone is the best solvent for dissolving most adhesives, however, not knowing what your bass is clear coated with offhand, I'd suggest testing it on a low profile area first. If there's no problem and the logo is on top of the clearcoat, acetone will do it no question.

Thanks for the input. The logo on a Squier Bronco is barely covered by any clear coat. Approximately 30 seconds with 220 grit took it right off. Now I just have to wait for a warm, dry day to take it out and spray on some clear.

They also have I think their called magic erasers for removing auto decals it goes on the end of a drill. You might look into that

I don't think it would work on the classic vibe basses

I meant to indicate that this is what I did. Now I'm waiting for a clear day to take it out and clear over it.