Headstock Decal Question (yes I already did a search :-)

[Quadzilla]

Howdy all,

So I have a 1992 Fender '62RI body (MIA) and I just bought an All Parts (Licensed By Fender) neck. I have a Fender Jazz logo decal I want to put on the headstock. Before any of you bash this, again, it's a real Fender body and a Licensed neck (which means Fender was paid and got "their cut" !

Anyway, the neck is finished in poly (as is the headstock). So do I put the decal on the poly finish as it is (no sanding to the finish) and then apply more coats of poly over it OR do I sand the headstock before applying the decal and then apply the additional coats of poly?

If I do have to sand first, what grit (or "grits" is using more than one grit) of sandpaper should I get?

Thanks!

[Gord_oh]

i redid my headstock recently, i didnt sand anything.
applied the waterslide decal and clear coated (about 4 coats over just the decal. covered rest of headstock),
worked out fine for me.
i have heard of people using super fine sandpaper to scuff it up before applying decals.

[stflbn]

I've done it both ways quad. I've stripped several necks, applied decal and then put Nitro or Poly over, and I've also done a couple where I put on a decal and then Nitro or Poly's over the existing. Same exact results in both cases in my opinion. Slight visibility of the decal from certain angles, and getting it completely smooth relies on wet sanding to get rid of orange peel, or build-up around the edges of the decal.

Personally... I wet sanded one to get it perfect. The others I've just matte finished enough to where any variant in finish around the edge of the decal isn't noticable. I personally like a matte finish headstock better.

.

[vbasscustom]

god, use the search function.

[mkrtu9]

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

god, use the search function.

God doesn't need to use the search function

[Quadzilla]

Originally Posted by mkrtu9

God doesn't need to use the search function

And neither does Chuck Norris! If you are not in on the Chuck Norris internet gag, you should check this out. It's a riot!

http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

[dougjwray]

What I'd like to know is, where does one get one of these (I presume counterfeit) Fender decals? I've often Googled away, to no avail.

[vbasscustom]

maybe its licensed? the neck and body are why not go total licensed

[Quadzilla]

Originally Posted by dougjwray

What I'd like to know is, where does one get one of these (I presume counterfeit) Fender decals? I've often Googled away, to no avail.

I bought two of them a year or two ago for another similar project (I only have one left now). I'll see if I still have the order info when I get home this eve.

[Stumbo]

Question Headstock Decal Question (yes I already did a search :-)

What search terms did you use?

Try "decal clear coat". Lots of hits.

[mkrtu9]

Originally Posted by Quadzilla

And neither does Chuck Norris! If you are not in on the Chuck Norris internet gag, you should check this out. It's a riot!

http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

yeah I've heard about that. My 18 year old nephew is all about it. He says Chuck Norris is so fast he doesn't have to wipe.

[waynobass]

Originally Posted by stflbn

... Slight visibility of the decal from certain angles...

Which is period-correct. If it looks perfect, it's too modern.

[guitargarage]

In the olden days Fender put the decal on as the last step in finishing the headstock - so it was shiny glossy lacquer with a waterslide decal ontop of the finish - I don't think they even oversprayed the decal (which is why they get scraped off).

I use two things to help in applying decals.

First is a "setting solution", which is basically dilute acetic acid - aka - white vinegar. You brush a little onto the headstock and put the decal ontop of it - and then gently tamp down on the decal with fine artist brush to get it in position and flat on the surface. You can dab the decal with a little paper towel to get rid of extra moisture and vinegar.

Second, once the decal dries I use something called "Decal Softening Solution" - which does exactly that. You brush a little bit on the decal and then just let it sit - it may bubble up a little, but it will dry completely flush to the surface - just don't touch it while its drying AT ALL - or it may distintergrate.

I bought my little bottle of decal softening solution from Micromark years ago:

http://www.micromark.com/decal-accessories.html

After all of that - a light clear coat of gloss lacquer will greatly increase the life expectancy of the decal !