Decal (body) goes on before or after clearcoat?

[Haboob]

Would it be better to put it on under the clearcoat? Or after clearcoat but before polishing? Or just after polishing? I imagine it will get affected by the polishing pad???
Thanks...

 

[Steve Holt]

What kind of decal? Like a headstock decal? I use waterslide decals for the logos on my builds. They don't have much in the way of adhesive power (if any) so I put them on after a few good coats of clear, then spray more clear over it to melt it in between the layers of nitro.

 

[misterdontmove]

You'll never be able to take it off if you put it on before. Just a thought. No Regerts!

 

[Haboob]

A decal of a famous Tele player...I won't ever take it off....

 

[EsquireOK]

You need to provide more info.

Many people say "decal" as a general term for any applied graphic...i.e. interchangeably with "sticker."

I say "decal" only when speaking of waterslides, or other "transfer" graphics.

You need to name your finish materials, the type of "decal," and your desired results. Do you want it flush in the end? Raised from the surface of the guitar? Etc.

 

[Haboob]

Yes, I'm intending it to be a 'decal'. And I'd prefer it to be flush, not noticeably 'on top' of the paint....

 

[Deeve]

Yes, I'm intending it to be a 'decal'. And I'd prefer it to be flush, not noticeably 'on top' of the paint....

Then, yes; bury it under a coat or three of clear.

 

[Haboob]

Thanks. And it'll take a buffing with some car wax?

 

[Telenator]

If it's a natural finish, you'll want to get at least a couple of coats down before applying the decal. Then clear coat over the decal and buff.

 

[EsquireOK]

Then, yes; bury it under a coat or three of clear.

Then you should put it between coats of clear.

If it's a waterslide, get your finish up to a finish-quality high gloss, then clean with well with naptha.

Apply the waterslide using a decal setting solution (e.g. Micro Sol), available at hobby shops that sell high quality plastic model kits and supplies. Read the instructions on the bottle.

After the waterslide has fully dried, touch up any water spots on the finish, and make sure the surface of the decal is dust free.

If you are using lacquer, you want to VERY LIGHTLY dust on dry coats of the next several coats of lacquer. Do this 6–10 times before moving to slightly wetter coats.

Build up to a nice, smooth shell of clear, polish, and you're done.

Purchase extra decals and do test runs of your entire finishing process on scrap wood, before doing it on your instrument. Some finishes will have bad reactions with some decals.

 

[Steve Holt]

Thanks. And it'll take a buffing with some car wax?

Yes, because you won't be buffing the decal, you'll be buffing the clear poly or nitro you've put on top of it. Unless you go too deep.