How do I gloss a headstock with water slide decals?

[BassFishingInAmerica]

You need to know what kind of gloss finish is already on the neck. Is it poly or nitro? You don't want to go spraying poly on nitro. It may react in strange ways. Nitro lacquer is always best for headstock decals because if there are any deviation in the smoothness, you can lightly wet sand with 600 grit to smooth it out and recoat. Nitro melts into each previous layer. Poly just lays on top and shows every sanding scratch, mark or error that is underneath. That's why nitro is used for musical instruments. It creates a solid bonded seal, that effects tonal qualities.

 

[thisSNsucks]

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!

You will be alright, just make sure you don't rush it. with finishing, prep work and patience are key.

Here are two I've done recently. I go for a more satin finish so I stop sanding at 1000 grit.

 

[nerkoids]

Watco works great. So does Miniwax poly. What I'm planning on doing is put the decal on my already glossy neck, let it dry out, remove bubbles or ripples, then poly spray it. let it set. then spray another layer, but roughly around the decals. Let it dry for a whole day, then brush on some clear gloss poly (also Miniwax) a few times, building up till there's almost no seam... then wet sand with 600 grit once it's been dry for more than 24 hours, first over the decals, then the rest of the headstock. Rinse off, let it rest a few hours, then look at how the seams look.

The point is the top of the decal needs to be level with the rest of the headstock. If there's no water or air underneath the decal, it'll meld into the finish, so long as the decal itself isn't raised, you won't see the edges anymore. I find having the edges of the decal a little less tight works better, in case you over-sand too much.

 

[nerkoids]

You need to know what kind of gloss finish is already on the neck. Is it poly or nitro? You don't want to go spraying poly on nitro. It may react in strange ways. Nitro lacquer is always best for headstock decals because if there are any deviation in the smoothness, you can lightly wet sand with 600 grit to smooth it out and recoat. Nitro melts into each previous layer. Poly just lays on top and shows every sanding scratch, mark or error that is underneath. That's why nitro is used for musical instruments. It creates a solid bonded seal, that effects tonal qualities.

Actually, any oil-based lacquer will melt with itself from what I've discovered, either poly or nitro, or even acrylic. Like Watco, Varnathane, Tremclad, or any other furniture oil-based poly. Watco also makes a nitro one. I've used both. Someone who knows how to use them can make pretty decent stuff.

You can use nitro on top of poly, but you can't use poly on top of nitro. Nitro is nasty stuff, though, so make sure you are in a well-ventilated place. Since using poly, the headaches have been a lot less severe

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

Actually, any oil-based lacquer will melt with itself from what I've discovered, either poly or nitro, or even acrylic. Like Watco, Varnathane, Tremclad, or any other furniture oil-based poly. Watco also makes a nitro one. I've used both. Someone who knows how to use them can make pretty decent stuff.

You can use nitro on top of poly, but you can't use poly on top of nitro. Nitro is nasty stuff, though, so make sure you are in a well-ventilated place. Since using poly, the headaches have been a lot less severe

Yeah, I've been using nitro for a while. I know it's bad stuff to breathe. I'm hooked on it for refinishing necks. It's just so easy to use, dries super quick with no smell and easy to sand and polish. It's softer than poly, but I never noticed. I've been hearing a lot of good things about acrylic. Thinking of doing a body in it.

 

[nerkoids]

Yeah, I've been using poly for a while. I know it's bad stuff to breathe. I'm hooked on it for refinishing necks. It's just so easy to use, dries super quick with no smell and easy to sand and polish. It's softer than poly, but I never noticed. I've been hearing a lot of good things about acrylic. Thinking of doing a body in it.

Acrylics are temperamental, though. If you go acrylic, stick with the same brand in paint, gloss finish, etc... If you go the Krylon route, go all the way, unless you let the paint layers dry thoroughly, so the finish doesn't lift up the paint an cause all kinds of paint cracks and runs. It's why I love poly so much... it works with everything.

 

[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.

Tele headstock as promised. I'm not trying to fool anyone but you can't tell too much unless you hold the light just right.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

Tele headstock as promised. I'm not trying to fool anyone but you can't tell too much unless you hold the light just right.
View attachment 597177 View attachment 597178 View attachment 597179

That's sweet. Here's one of my restorations.

 

[TjMetalhead]

Wow! I honestly didn't expect this post to receive this much feedback, thank you guys a lot! You've all been of great help The decal came in this evening and I applied the decal and I gotta say, I'm quite impressed, It came out better than I expected. Tomorrow I'll spray a coat of gloss and continue the process throughout the week and I'll keep ya'll posted how it comes out. Patience is the key!

 

[TjMetalhead]

You need to know what kind of gloss finish is already on the neck. Is it poly or nitro? You don't want to go spraying poly on nitro. It may react in strange ways. Nitro lacquer is always best for headstock decals because if there are any deviation in the smoothness, you can lightly wet sand with 600 grit to smooth it out and recoat. Nitro melts into each previous layer. Poly just lays on top and shows every sanding scratch, mark or error that is underneath. That's why nitro is used for musical instruments. It creates a solid bonded seal, that effects tonal qualities.

It's a mighty might Jazz bass neck. From most of the product descriptions I've seen it says it has an Oil Based Poly. This is the gloss I ended up buying Deft 1-Aerosol Gloss Interior Clear Wood Finish Lacquer-01013 - The Home Depot Do you think I'll be alright using deft? In the tutorial dmac1961 posted by Musiclogic he used deft and I really liked the results that he got. Decal Application Pic/Tutorial | TalkBass.com

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

It's a mighty might Jazz bass neck. From most of the product descriptions I've seen it says it has an Oil Based Poly. This is the gloss I ended up buying Deft 1-Aerosol Gloss Interior Clear Wood Finish Lacquer-01013 - The Home Depot Do you think I'll be alright using deft? In the tutorial dmac1961 posted by Musiclogic he used deft and I really liked the results that he got. Decal Application Pic/Tutorial | TalkBass.com

Looks like you used the right stuff. Did you use multiple coats? Did you do any sanding between coats? I want to try this lacquer. Always looking for alternatives.

 

[TjMetalhead]

Looks like you used the right stuff. Did you use multiple coats? Did you do any sanding between coats? I want to try this lacquer. Always looking for alternatives.

Cool! I'm in the process of glossing as we speak. I just sprayed 2 coats, I'll probably let it sit over night then sand it tomorrow and then another coat of gloss and let it sit, sand the next day; rinse and repeat! I'm thinking about doing it maybe 7-10 more times. So I should be done by the end of next week. I'm liking deft so far, it applies smoothly and looks super clear!