Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

[STRATDELUXER97]

What is the best way to remove a decal from the maple headstock of a fender Strat? Sandpaper or some kind of liquid disolvent? Thanks in advance..

John

[Zerberus]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

Depends on the decal. If it can be dissolved and we´re not talking about a nitro finish then use the most aggressive stuff you can find just to make sure.

But I´d say in about 90% of the cases it has to be sanded anyway, so I don´t mess around with solvents but just grab a sheet of 40 grit and a bottle of elbow grease

[kmcguitars]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

If your talking about a bumper sticker type of thing? 3M makes a great
product call Addhisive and wax remover that works like a charm.
If your talking about the accutal headstock logo? It's buiried under a few
coats of poly.
I would just take the tuners off and sand the whole front off with a block.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

If your talking about a bumper sticker type of thing? 3M makes a great
product call Addhisive and wax remover that works like a charm.
If your talking about the accutal headstock logo? It's buiried under a few
coats of poly.
I would just take the tuners off and sand the whole front off with a block.

Thanks guys...I'm talking about the actual Fender decal....I want to put a spaghetti logo in place of the 80s decal because it's going to be my guitar and I Like the looks of the older decals better...I've put a few decals on and refinished over the decal,but I've not had to remove one...

John

[Curly]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

I really don't know ... does finger nail polish remover work?

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

I really don't know ... does finger nail polish remover work?

Hmmm.....So tempting Curly...

John

[midnite_man]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

I really don't know ... does finger nail polish remover work?

Don't go there, Curly!....lol.... I suggested once in a thread here to someone, who wanted to remove some dribbled super-glue off the body of a guitar, that nail-polish remover would probably remove it with no problem....several people chimed in to put the ki-bosh on that. They said it would eat right through the glue and the finish.
I'd agree with the fine-grit sandpaper approach....maybe follow up with some rubbing compound and a good polish? Would a hair-dryer soften it up enough to maybe peel it iff?
Good luck!

-Bob

[kmcguitars]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

I really don't know ... does finger nail polish remover work?

Most likely Not ? Nail polish remover is acetone. like midnight man said
If you happen to Crazy glue your fingers together that's the stuff ya want. It is nasty stuff but I doubt it will have the desired effect
on the poly finish on that headstock? I don't know how much of a project
you wanna make this? But I would sand it to bare wood,Than www.reranch.com sells a product called Fender neck Amber. 1 or 2 coats
you get a nice light amber 5 or 6 coats ya get a Med.Amber CBS era
Keep Goin' ya get a deep nicotine stained 50's vintage look. Than you apply
the decal Clear coat w/t poly or Lacquer

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

Most likely Not ? Nail polish remover is acetone. like midnight man said
If you happen to Crazy glue your fingers together that's the stuff ya want. It is nasty stuff but I doubt it will have the desired effect
on the poly finish on that headstock? I don't know how much of a project
you wanna make this? But I would sand it to bare wood,Than www.reranch.com sells a product called Fender neck Amber. 1 or 2 coats
you get a nice light amber 5 or 6 coats ya get a Med.Amber CBS era
Keep Goin' ya get a deep nicotine stained 50's vintage look. Than you apply
the decal Clear coat w/t poly or Lacquer

Midnite Man...I'm ok with all suggestions and never rip on anyone that would offer info..Depends on who sends the info I guess?

I Like to do things the right way..Next time I restring,I'll take the tuners and string tree off and sand it nice and smooth..I'm familiar with Reranch and I think Stew Mac has a spray can based on the amber coloring...Mine is more of a honey color and so I'd need to try and match that as close as I can...I may elect to leave well enough alone if I find I'm putting too much effort into this!

John

[butnut]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

Here's a pic of my 'replaced' decal Wattage made for me. It's the exact Fender Jimmie Vaughan Strat that's above it, satin poly. Took me an hour of careful sanding with 220, 320 and 400. I did'nt want to disturb the original tone and satin so I just concentrated on the decal. You can still see a faint outline of the Fender, but after I shot the poly, I did the shoe polish and it's hard to see it now...be careful, when the decal comes off, there is a thin layer of poly or sealer under it, try not to sand that off.

[LesStrat]

Re: Question For Zerberus Or Anyone In The Know?

I've often wondered about this myself. I'd like to take the logo off LesStrat and get a replacement sticker that said "LesStrat" (or paint it on).