Easiest way to remove and replace Squier headstock decal

[Bortron]

Now before anyone jumps to conclusions: no, I don't want to remove a Squier logo and replace it with a Fender one. I'm not that guy. My main two basses are Squiers and I play them loudly and proudly.

I bought a 2000 Squier 5-string P-Bass in purple sparkle finish a few months ago, as I'd owned an identical one many years ago but traded it in, and regretted it. This replacement sounded, however, like absolute garbage, so all the electronics have been replaced, including converting it from a J/J (I don't know what Squier were smoking that week) to a P/J. So I want to put custom decals on the headstock to make it fully unique. I'm never likely to sell it.

So, what's the easiest way to get the old ones off, new ones on, and seal the new ones? I have available to me GooGone and acetone, which may work. I'd rather avoid sanding down if I have to, as I'm grossly impractical and have nowhere to do a sanding job.

And once the new decals are on, what's the best material to use to seal them on in the same matte finish (if that's necessary)?

 

[Flying B]

It's likely buried in the lacquer so you're not getting it off without removing some of the clear coat.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Yep, coated over with poly clear, and the clear is tinted, the waterslide is applied to the seal coat. Then the tinted topcoat applied: so the shape of the decal will still show until you get down to the seal coat/ bare wood and then try and match the topcoat tint.

May I suggest; scuff the surface and color match the body, but with purple sparkle that may be difficult. Perhaps black, And bury the decal in clear, satin poly if you prefer.

 

[lowplaces]

I wouldn't change it if it were mine.

 

[Bortron]

So it will require sanding down, and then coating again once the new decal is on? What material exactly would I need to do the final coating? I have no experience with painting/finishing guitars.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

So it will require sanding down, and then coating again once the new decal is on? What material exactly would I need to do the final coating? I have no experience with painting/finishing guitars.

Then don’t try it, you are not equipped, nor experienced enough to get a good result.
Pay someone to do it that has the facilities, and supplies combined with the experience to get a good end result.
After sanding to seal coat:
It will require accurate masking and color matching the tint of the existing amber tint on the rest of the neck, which may take one or more coats, wet sanding surface level every couple coats taking care not to sand through the decal. Then the satin clear you desire as the final coat.

I could have it finished and curing in one afternoon. But I’ve done 100s of them. And have an area to spray, a proper spray gun ETC.

Or leave it as is!​

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Perhaps make any "alteration" merely by adding an additional decal. That way you can not touch the original decal, which seems wisest given your self-description of your skills/tools.

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

Perhaps make any "alteration" merely by adding an additional decal. That way you can not touch the original decal, which seems wisest given your self-description of your skills/tools.

^This would be my recommendation, as well.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Leave it. No one cares.

 

[Hertz]

Years ago a friend painted the headstock of his guitar and embedded an old school Buick car emblem in the head stock. Was totally unique.

 

[Swerve]

More trouble than its worth. But you may be able to find someone locally that can do it for cheap. Maybe put out an ad on Facebook or Craigslist. Or visit some local music stores.

I think it looks great as is btw. The headstock has a nice aged tint to it and that Squier logo is one of the better ones I've seen.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Just put a sticker on there.

 

[Bortron]

Leave it. No one cares.

I care. Not that it's a Squier logo. I play a Rascal and Paranormal Jazz '54 on stage, and they're both amazing basses.

But I care because I want something fun and personal to me.

 

[Bortron]

More trouble than its worth. But you may be able to find someone locally that can do it for cheap. Maybe put out an ad on Facebook or Craigslist. Or visit some local music stores.

I think it looks great as is btw. The headstock has a nice aged tint to it and that Squier logo is one of the better ones I've seen.

It looks good as it is, I was just thinking of making it that bit more personal to me. But if it's more trouble/money than it's worth, I'm happy leaving it as is. I'm a proud Squier player, my Rascal and Paranormal Jazz '54 are all I gig with, and I'll definitely use the Rascal as my main bass forever.

I've got to take it to a bloke in January to get a new pickguard made up, so I might wait until then and get his advice.

 

[funkinbottom]

May I suggest; scuff the surface and color match the body, but with purple sparkle that may be difficult. Perhaps black, And bury the decal in clear, satin poly if you prefer.

Agree, this is probably the easiest/best solution.

 

[BassNugget]

I did it. It wasn't hard. I removed the neck and sanded the entire headstock and neck. Did a final sand with 800 grit. I blended two stains from Home Depot to get the color I wanted and applied and dried. The back of the neck got an orange oil and beeswax finish.

I applied several waterslides and let them dry. Then I used a rattle can and applied a clear coat...maybe 4-6 coats.

Is it perfect? No, but it is good and fun!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I did it. It wasn't hard. I removed the neck and sanded the entire headstock and neck. Did a final sand with 800 grit. I blended two stains from Home Depot to get the color I wanted and applied and dried. The back of the neck got an orange oil and beeswax finish.

I applied several waterslides and let them dry. Then I used a rattle can and applied a clear coat...maybe 4-6 coats.

Is it perfect? No, but it is good and fun!

View attachment 7102824

Nicely done.
Good result.

 

[BassNugget]

Nicely done!
You have more skill than you purported.
Good result.

I'm not the OP, but thanks!! The hard parts on that bass were the pickup routing and electronics.

 

[BassNugget]

Here's the bottom half of that bass.

 

[Flying B]

OP, as bassnugget has shown, it can be done with some sandpaper and a rattle can. I say ignore the naysayers and have a go! It's not like it's a 5k instrument.