I created my decal for the neck using an awesome technique from Bill Jehle at projectguitar.com creation and application went well. Here’s a quick recap and photos:

An inverse logo outline was laser printed on transparency film. I used a pilot gold gel pen to color in the logo. I then applies mod podge (matte) to protect the gel paint from the adhesive spray. I masked the headstock and shot spray adhesive to the headstock and logo. On my test logo the spray can propellant pushed the logo about a 1/2 inch an left a little residue on the top of the logo. I used the tip of tweezers to hold the logo down when I sprayed the second one. After waiting the recommended minute i used tweezers and placed the logo on the headstock. I rolled my finger across the surface to get rid of a few tiny air pockets. Most of the overspray on the headstock balled up and rubbed away as I rubber out the air pockets. After 5 minutes I used a drop of naptha on a paper towel to clean up the rest of the adhesive residue.

After an hour a shot my first coat of nitro (stew mac vintage amber) on the headstock and neck. I’m a little worried about a reaction with the sanding sealer, but following the advise of a fellow builder on guitar attack I tested on scrap and it worked fine.

I decided to post on the blog to kill time before my next coat of nitro.

Here are photos from the process:

Finished logo before the adhesive process

Layer of Mod Podge starting to dry

Trying to stay between the lines with the gold gel pen

OK a half hour is up, I got go check the finish and shoot another coat!