Remove Headstock Decal - Help!

[JimDiGritz]

Hi,

So I've just got my 3rd Warmoth neck - this time a used one from eBay.

It came with a 'unique' and 'amusing' decal which doesn't go with my awesome vintage strat build, so I want to remove it.

I started with a light sanding with 0000 wire wool which quickly removed the gloss lacquer, however the decal is untouched!

My observations:

• I have no idea if the decal was applied by Warmoth or by the previous owner.
  
• The decal seems painted on! I can't see any decal edge at all.
  
• Whoever did it also lacquered over the Tuner washers, they are seriously stuck down! Am worried about chipping out wood if I force them off!
  

*The second photo below is after sanding with 0000 for a couple of minutes. As you can see, the lacquer is gone but the decal is still perfect!!

Do I just keep sanding?

Jim

 

[Fat Pete]

Welcome to the forum!

I guess if you want the (unique and amusing) decal gone, you are going to have to keep sanding - with 0000 steel wool you could be at it for some time, so I'd suggest using something a bit more aggressive - abrasive paper with a block to make sure things stay flat. You will need to remove the washers - I'd try gently going round them with a razor blade.

Good luck!

 

[Cagey]

Just as a point of information, Warmoth doesn't apply decals of any type from anyone, not even their own, so this is the previous owner's work.

It's unlikely you're removing much lacquer with that wool - you're just dulling it up and making it look like it's gone. If it was me, I'd get some acetone (lacquer thinner) and some paper towel or a cloth, soak the towel/cloth with the acetone and lay it on the headstock. Within a short time that lacquer will be dissolved and will wipe right off, decal and all. Has the advantage of being less work, not scratching up your headstock, or requiring the removal of the ferrules.

If that doesn't work, then it's not lacquer on there. More likely polyurethane, and only a Methylene Chloride-based stripper or lotsa sanding will get it off. Do the stripper thing. It's the best. But, you'll have to remove the ferrules as the stripper will likely eat the chrome off them.

 

[amigarobbo]

I'd rather have that, than one that says 'Fender'.

But that maybe just me :icon_scratch:

 

[mayfly]

How I would approach this little problem would be the Cagey 'better-living-though-chemistry' method, followed with sandpaper on a block.  Need to get those ferrules out of there before you start with the block mind you.  As others have mentioned using an exact-o knife to score the finish around the perimeter would be the way to go.

However - I do think that the decal is pretty fun and I would be tempted to leave it where it is!  :headbang:

 

[JimDiGritz]

Thanks everyone, you were all right. The 0000 was just making it angry!

I removed the ferrules using this method - worked like a charm.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/how-to-remove-tuner-bushings-from-headstock.691930/

I ended up going down to 120 and then working back up through 240, 400, 600 and then finally 1000 wet/dry.

Got a lovely clean satin finish, have put first coat of Tru Oil on and will post a pic of it on the guitar when I get that done!

Jim

 

[JimDiGritz]

...
However - I do think that the decal is pretty fun and I would be tempted to leave it where it is!  :headbang:

I'd rather have that, than one that says 'Fender'.

But that maybe just me :icon_scratch:

Hehe - you guys have no taste!!!

:icon_jokercolor:

 

[amigarobbo]

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