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I'm wrapping up a tele build for myself. I made the body from scratch but am using a cheap Chinese neck that feels great.

I've had a custom water slide decal made and want to put a thin finish over it.

Because it's a cheap Chinese tele neck I assume the finish is catalyzed polymer. I dropped on some lacquer thinner and it's not reactive.


My question: after I apply the waterslide decal, what finish can I put over the decal to seal it in? What will be compatible with the finish that's on there? Can I shoot a light coat of rattlecan nitro? What do you recommend and why?

Yes Nitro will work.

It sounds like one of those 'who knows until you try it' situations. Nitro most likely won't work but, the only chance you would have is to sand the surface, Spray vinyl sealer then nitro. Probably a waste of time.

If it was me I'd sand to bare wood and start over. If you are just doing a head Plate it won't be a big deal.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Test in an out of the way non-show area...

Shellac sticks to most finishes.

Nothing will stick long term without proper prep and sanding of the current finish, after that any type of clear coat should hold. Bigger problem I have these days is what doesn't eat water-slide decals......The Glycols that have replaced the HAPs do not get along well with the gel the decals are made of and they either lift, melt or the clear part turns hazy.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/