Remove Decal Without Removing Finish?

[J Posega]

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...

 

[johnson79]

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.

 

[pghjeeper]

Gotta sand it down its under the clear

 

[Pilgrim]

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

 

[J Posega]

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.

 

[Hopkins]

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.

 

[Meddle]

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

 

[ejmy]

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.

 

[Maz]

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.

 

[J Posega]

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.

 

[Shaffon]

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

 

[pghjeeper]

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

 

[J Posega]

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.

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.