Can I do a Gloss Headstock, Tru-Oil Back?

[whitebison66]

I have a decal for the face of my inbound CBS neck.

I want to put clear gloss nitro on the face, but Tru-Oil the rest of the neck (maple w/rosewood FB).

Is this doable?

Or should I lacquer the whole headstock and just Tru-Oil the back of the neck?

I've thought of trying to put Tru-Oil over the decal, but frankly it scares me. Or is it easier than it seems?


As always, thanks in advance!

 

[Unwound G]

Tape off the back and sides of the unfinished headstock exposing only the face.  Tape off the nut slot and part of the neck as well.  Shoot lacquer and go through the whole process of sanding and rubbing out until a clear gloss is reached.

When the gloss side of the headstock completely cures, tape it off and start applying Tru-Oil over rest of the neck.

Remember, building up layers of Tru-Oil differs from building up lacquer.  Each time you shoot lacquer over the previous layer, the wet layer melts into the old layer and thickness eventually builds up.  As for Tru-Oil, layers do not melt into each other but layers can be built up by sanding between each coat with fine steel wool.  Tru-Oil also needs to soak into the bare wood so the surface cannot be lacquered first and then applied with Tru-Oil.