• Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Topic: Vintage Fender Decals

Yes, I know, the F word. lol

Just wondering if anyone can tell me how the decal is applied on vintage fender headstocks. Is it over all the lacquer, or between coats of lacquer?

I have a company in the UK making me a 56 reissue body and so I stripped the finish on the headstock of my strat to get a vintage logo on. So, got a good smooth nitro coat on (also watered the wood a bit, brought out the flame and grain nicely, thank you Florian Jaeger for that one) I now have the decal on and is drying overnight.
So, should I be putting on another coat? I just worry that having another coat on will cause problems when wet sanding, as I imagine sanding over the decal (albeit under a coat of lacquer) could shift it, rip it, whatever.

Anyone know what to do?

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Vintage Fender Decals

Until 67 over the lacquer, from 68 on under the lacquer.

Jimi75's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Vintage Fender Decals

A lot of the decals I've bought you have to mist them with lacquer first while its on the paper then they will slide off with water no problem on your guitar.  Then I spray again over that.  But that was just one guys opinion I got no clue how fender did it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Vintage Fender Decals

Yup,,  no clue how they did it, but if you want it under the laquer I think that looks best. Light coats is the key

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Vintage Fender Decals

Ive started doing light coats, done 4 misting coats so far...going to do proper coats tomorrow, I just worry about wet sanding.

  • Rick
  • Platinum
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 318

Re: Vintage Fender Decals

Jimi_lp wrote:

Ive started doing light coats, done 4 misting coats so far...going to do proper coats tomorrow, I just worry about wet sanding.


I've bought some Fender Water Slides, and it's recommended to apply some
laquer first to the headstock (the wood itself is too "porous")
Then apply the Water Slide, let it dry
Then apply some more laquer over it

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Vintage Fender Decals

Rick wrote:
Jimi_lp wrote:

Ive started doing light coats, done 4 misting coats so far...going to do proper coats tomorrow, I just worry about wet sanding.


I've bought some Fender Water Slides, and it's recommended to apply some
laquer first to the headstock (the wood itself is too "porous")
Then apply the Water Slide, let it dry
Then apply some more laquer over it

Yeh that's what I've done.
Sadly it's very windy today here in scotland so I can't put on a coat of lacquer today.
Decided to order 1000 grit sandpaper, just to make sure, I've been using 600, so the extra 400 should be safe.