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Water Slide Decals for Body Designs

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by BassFishingInAmerica, May 11, 2020.

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  1. May 11, 2020 #1
    BassFishingInAmerica

    BassFishingInAmerica

    Jul 24, 2014
    I got a job a while ago to finish a bass kit, which was to be a gift for the bassist for the band Preacher Stone. I used water slide decals for the design, and sealed it under lacquer, which came out better than I thought it would. Anyone else do any decal designs? They worked out really well. The colors are very solid, especially when done on a laser printer.
    E056E7E5-B2C3-44A6-8B55-4B0FC87A2265.jpeg 67528DBA-9993-4F32-93A9-B24C1232C42F.jpeg
     

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  2. May 11, 2020 #2
    Spidey2112

    Spidey2112

    Aug 3, 2016
    I have, for a build a couple of years ago... the trick is soaking the waterslides for just the right amount of time... enough to get it to slide off the backing, but not too long as to lose its adhesive. Once off, the logos were extremely delicate...

    ... almost like a starfish.

    I think I put at least 8 thin coats of nitro over it, barely steel wooling over the headstock to feather the perimeter of the logos.

    IMAG1681.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2020
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  3. May 11, 2020 #3
    BassFishingInAmerica

    BassFishingInAmerica

    Jul 24, 2014
    I was just wondering, because I’ve only seen small decals. For one decal, I used a whole page. I’m starting to think about doing an entire bass by combining multiple pages of designs.
     
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  4. May 11, 2020 #4
    Spidey2112

    Spidey2112

    Aug 3, 2016
    Do eet!
     
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  5. May 11, 2020 #5
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
    Sounds like an interesting project. Keep us posted if you move forward!
     
  6. May 11, 2020 #6
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX
    Not water slides, but inkjet.... more vivid colors. Here’s a video from Highline Guitars ...

     
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  7. May 11, 2020 #7
    BassFishingInAmerica

    BassFishingInAmerica

    Jul 24, 2014
    I was actually thinking of doing some sort of comic / superhero theme.
     
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  8. May 11, 2020 #8
    Spidey2112

    Spidey2112

    Aug 3, 2016
    I see nothing wrong with that.
     
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  9. May 11, 2020 #9
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX
    :D