Guitars and decals

[Pillimees]

I'm refinishing a guitar, and as part of that process made a new decal for the headstock. As my only experience with decals has been from building stompboxes, I used the same materials - waterslide decal stock from SmallBear, and acrylic lacquer. Now, applying the decal was easy, but after a whole can of lacquer, the edges are still visible from certain angles.

Hence my question - is this normal? I've read an article that suggests keeping piling on more lacquer until the edges disappear - should I keep doing that? Or is the decal stock from SmallBear somehow different (maybe thicker, being intended for stompboxes) from what's normally used on guitars?

FWIW, the surface is pretty much smooth to the touch. I would've gone for perfectly smooth but ran out of lacquer, so I'm wondering if I should bother to get more.

[dolly123]

I've done decals a few times but never had to use a whole can of lacquer before the edges disappear.

[OnWingsOfLead]

sometimes you still see the edges on vintage fender guitars too....its only a minor cosmetic deal. I would suggest a very fine sandpaper, maybe even wet in between coats. That would minimize the edge

[wazupwiop]

im not sure wat the problem is. I looked at tutorials, and seen guitars being laquered. ur doing it right

[Pillimees]

sometimes you still see the edges on vintage fender guitars too....its only a minor cosmetic deal. I would suggest a very fine sandpaper, maybe even wet in between coats. That would minimize the edge
Good advice, I'll try that. I was going to fine sand it after finishing the clear coats, but I didn't think of doing it in between.
Thanks!

[OnWingsOfLead]

like I said, use a very fine grit sandpaper (1000 or higher) and wet the sandpaper. Obviously, make sure the lacquer is completely dry. Then lightly sand the surface to smooth out imperfections. Also helps the next coat stick better. You can also start with say 1200, then coat. Then use 1600, coat and so on. When you finish, you can take a light rubbing compund to it to really bring out the shine. Hope this helped!

[Pillimees]

I tried wet sanding with 1200 grit, and it really made a difference! The edges are much smoother. Now I just need to get more lacquer, and I can resume the clear coating. Both stores I checked today that might carry the brand I need were out. Damn rotten luck!

Thanks again, OnWingsOfLead.

[OnWingsOfLead]

You are welcome my friend...I demand pics when its finished!

[Pillimees]

Picture of the finished headstock, as requested:

http://faded.havocaos.com/pildikraam/astrid/headstock2_sm.jpg (http://faded.havocaos.com/pildikraam/astrid/headstock2.jpg)

Wet sanded with 1200- and 2000-grit between coats. I didn't sand or buff after the last coat, as I prefer a matte finish.

[larryguitar]

Picture of the finished headstock, as requested:

http://faded.havocaos.com/pildikraam/astrid/headstock2_sm.jpg (http://faded.havocaos.com/pildikraam/astrid/headstock2.jpg)

Wet sanded with 1200- and 2000-grit between coats. I didn't sand or buff after the last coat, as I prefer a matte finish.

Very nice! :thu: