How do I gloss a headstock with water slide decals?

[TjMetalhead]

Alright now I know this isn't a popular subject around here but I need some help with this. I have a mighty mite jazz neck that is glossed over and I'm going to put a waterslide decal to make it look more professional (*DISCLAIMER*: I am not going to be selling any sort of "counterfeit" bass; this bass is mine and made for me). I already know how to put them on, what I don't know is how to apply a clean and even gloss over the headstock so the decals can be protected from scratches and peeling off. What should I do since the neck is already glossed? I'm a bit of an amateur when it comes to paints and finishing. Here's a picture of the headstock

 

[sissy kathy]

Wait for the decal to dry then just paint a thin layer of clear gloss over the head stock, not just the decal ( I use a minimum of two coats.)

 

[TjMetalhead]

What kind of gloss do you suggest?

 

[sissy kathy]

What kind of gloss do you suggest?

I use MINWAX polyurethane, but now that you've heard that from me, there will be people poring out of the workwork telling you to use something else and that MINWAX is crap..

 

[TjMetalhead]

I use MINWAX polyurethane, but now that you've heard that from me, there will be people poring out of the workwork telling you to use something else and that MINWAX is crap..

Oh I see, well, how was your success rate? Do you think MINWAX should give me the results I'm looking for?

 

[sissy kathy]

Oh I see, well, how was your success rate? Do you think MINWAX should give me the results I'm looking for?

It should; it gives ME the results I'm looking for.

 

[dmac1961]

This thread has some good info on the topic
Decal Application Pic/Tutorial | TalkBass.com

 

[Nephilymbass]

These videos of a warmoth build will probably answer your questions

 

[Iridescentone]

I use MINWAX polyurethane, but now that you've heard that from me, there will be people poring out of the workwork telling you to use something else and that MINWAX is crap..

MINWAX is CRAP!!

Oh wait....what's Minwax?

 

[TjMetalhead]

These videos of a warmoth build will probably answer your questions

I already knew how to do that, I just need to know the best gloss paint for the job.

 

[TjMetalhead]

This thread has some good info on the topic
Decal Application Pic/Tutorial | TalkBass.com

Do you know what brand of acrylic lacquer they used? or what is the best one to use in this case?

 

[Nephilymbass]

I already knew how to do that, I just need to know the best gloss paint for the job.

Watch the next video in that series then. He does that also

 

[TjMetalhead]

MINWAX is CRAP!!

Oh wait....what's Minwax?

lol, what do you like to use?

 

[TjMetalhead]

It should; it gives ME the results I'm looking for.

Do you think you can post pics of the basses you used MINWAX on?

 

[sissy kathy]

Do you think you can post pics of the basses you used MINWAX on?

I could if I had a camera I knew how to use.

 

[thisSNsucks]

This thread has some good info on the topic
Decal Application Pic/Tutorial | TalkBass.com

Yup, this is essentially how I do mine and it works great. Laquer is easier in the sense that each new layer melts into the subsequent layers, and it's designed to be level sanded and polished to a high gloss.

 

[TjMetalhead]

Yup, this is essentially how I do mine and it works great. Laquer is easier in the sense that each new layer melts into the subsequent layers, and it's designed to be level sanded and polished to a high gloss.

Okay sweet! I just bought a can of Deft lacquer like what the guy used in the post. The decal should be in sometime this week. I'll post my results next week!

 

[Blue Moose]

Just one piece of side advice, from someone who just did this a week ago. While trimming, try to follow the contour of the letters as closely as possible. On mine, you can see the clear part (non-letter portion) of the decal fairly well. Maybe it's because mine went on a very dark rosewood headstock. You may not have any problem at all on a light headstock. Oh, and order your decal from a company that supplies two. It's really easy to screw up and get a crinkle if you're not used to doing this. My model airplane days were a long, long time ago so my skills were rusty.

 

[Burwabit]

I've done this maybe 2-3 times, so I'm no expert. But...

I used acrylic lacquer. I did very thin coat before applying decal (if I remember correctly). Then coat / sand / coat / sand like 7-10 times. Use the highest/finest grain sandpaper possible, like 350-600 range. Mine never look like Fender did it, but they look pretty good. (I'll have to post a pic of a telecaster I did later tonight and the can of lacquer I used).

Other advice... buy the highest quality decal you can. Some are cheap and rip easy. Others are better and much easier to work with.

 

[DavC]

I've read and tried ... when using rattle spray cans ... put them in warm water for a while before hand ...

there are some good Tips at the StewMac website