DIY Headstock Decals- How to Make Them! (Fast & Easy!)

[@scratchcrafter]

waterslide stickers are used a lot in model locomotives. A good way to thin the decal so you don't even see it at all is with Micro Set and Micro Sol. These 2 solutions help the slide to completely be undetectable and it's easy to use.

[@DIYGene]

That is a fantastic tip. Thank you so much!

[@genewinstead7076]

Thank you, Gene! My name is Gene too. This is exactly what I was looking for. You've made ma a happy man.

[@DIYGene]

Well thanks Gene. I hope it works well for you. Thanks so much for watching.

[@Rixster1217]

Nice tutorial - You don't have to print a whole sheet off. I do trial run of my printing on plain paper. I then cut a piece of the decal paper and tape it over the print, then reprint the image now onto the decal. This saves a lot of wasted decal paper, you can cut almost exactly what you need. I also do at least two coats of clear before placing in water.

[@DIYGene]

Rick Bubier , That is a great suggestion. Thanks for sharing that!

[@CAP21]

You make it look so easy and effortless. Thanks for sharing that. Just have to figure out my own personal decal now

[@DIYGene]

Cap, that’s the fun part. Thanks for watching.

[@TruthSurge]

2:00 just use an exacto knife (razor blade) and cut exactly around the logo if it is not TOO involved. That will remove any visible edges. Even the "stratocaster" word could be done if you take your time and don't rush. nice vid!! 5:52, you can tell but it's not anything someone is going to notice without examining it reaaaally closely. You can tell in the vid but it's still going to look really good from anything 6" away. I am seriously going to try but can you put the decal on raw maple? does it need to be a hard smooth surface? I kind of assume it does and so I guess you'd need to have some finish down, then do the decal then add ANOTHER layer of finish over that like you did.

[@DIYGene]

Thanks for the great tip on cutting the decals as close as possible. I would recommend some kind of sealer first then apply the water slide decal then another clear sealer over the top. Thanks so much for watching.

[@TruthSurge]

@@DIYGene thanks for the vid. I am def going to try this! haha I have a Glen Burton strat and I'm just giving it the works. I'm dressing the frets and getting them all level and recrowned and a new nut (i broke the other trying to remove it) and I'm going to sand the black paint from the body and figure out some new paint job then clear that with some proper hard clear coat. I'll prob scallop the fretboard too. Then see about the pickups and how they sound. The thing has a 16" radius fretboard so I know it's going to bend really well (the strings). thanks.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Then you will have a mess on your hands as it'll be too small to comfortably remove from the water and apply to the headstock. For me anyway !

[@TruthSurge]

@@malcolmhardwick4258 I finished the guitar but never put a decal on it. I think I'll leave it as is. Just paint and no name. thank ya! Oh, I play it in my recent singing vid. Kind of a yellow/green sparkle color. Took forever to paint and clear but oh well.... thx

[@Ibaneddie76]

Can't wait to see you use that guitar in your videos, you fucking rip at guitar and vocals!

[@moist_owl9469]

Thanks for this in depth walk through. I'm building a butterscotch telecaster out of a mix of fender and squire parts for my sister and getting the decal to look just right made it turn out perfectly.

[@DIYGene]

I’m so glad it worked well. Thanks so much for watching.

[@agateenchantmentrockwizard5969]

Excellent and complete tutorial, great job. Love the true oil idea

[@DIYGene]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@AntonioCavicchioni]

One of the best videos showing how to use the Truoil. The decals technique is pretty nice. Thanks for sharing these cool tips!

[@DIYGene]

+Antonio Cavicchioni, You are very welcome, and thanks for watching.

[@NrGGames]

Wonderful video !! I bought the decal paper and the tru oil. On one of my guitars I used the decal on top of a recent paint job I did. And on another i guitar i got rid of the old finish and used the tru oil and did your exact method. Works like a dream ! Super simple too!! Everyone should do this !

[@DIYGene]

NrG , I’m glad it went well for you. I love tru-oil. Thanks for watching.

[@jerryschneider2356]

I recently built a similar "partscaster" using much the same techniques you used. The one thing I think needs a bit of clarity is mounting the neck to the guitar. Ideally, the screws should only thread into the neck itself, so after drilling the pilot hole through the body into the neck, I removed the neck and used a larger bit to enlarge the body holes. That way, when tightening the screws, it pulls the neck a bit tighter to the body, which is important to get the maximum sustain (making neck and body vibrate more in unison). If you don't do this, then maybe you need to clamp the neck to the body when inserting the screws. That's why they use the metal plate so that the body doesn't interfere with getting the neck mounted as tightly as possible. Thanks for the video - I learned about the Tru-Oil.

[@DIYGene]

I have never thought of that, but it makes sense. I have seen Dan Thompson from Guns and Guitars put 2 additional screws at a 45% angle behind the mounting plate to give a tighter fit. I’m building a Jazz bass and I may use both methods. Thanks so much for watching.

[@henryhardt5816]

Thank you, sir, for the helpful and practical tutorial! Just the kinda inspiration I've been looking for to put some finishing touches on several DIY projects.

[@DIYGene]

I’m hope it helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@barrywebber100]

Great job with the guitar and the decals, thanks for posting.

[@franckydookie]

I didn't know that decal paper existed, I'm making my own bass and I didn't think about that little detail. That looks so beautiful with the true oil finish

[@DIYGene]

I really hope it helps and inspires. Thanks so much for watching.

[@franckydookie]

@@DIYGene thanks to you for your work sir 👌

[@maxwellspeedwell2585]

Yet another excellent video. I have been using Tru-Oil on all my instruments. Several dollars for a small bottle and that will finish a couple of guitars. I have used Tru-Oil over shellac (a high-priced acoustic with hardware store Zerung Bullseye shellac). Grain can be enhanced with a suitable color (I use a dark tobacco, alcohol-based analine dye), sanded very lightly with 320. The dye accents the grain, and the shellac gives a rich, amber color. Tru-Oil over the shellac gives a durable gloss finish that is acoustically transparent.

[@DIYGene]

Maxwell Speedwell, I love Tru-Oil. A great product. I will have to try Tru-Oil over shellac. Thanks for the great suggestions.

[@SSGSativa]

I need to keep everything you said in mind for whenever I get to making my own gitter. Thanks ahead of time, both of you!

[@joseedeslongchamps1186]

This video will be helpful for my next guitar kit project. Thanks Gene.

[@DIYGene]

I hope it helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@scottbarnett7912]

Thanks DIY Gene! I appreciate the way you explain things. You make these things look simple....but they're not! You have inspired me to make my own original guitar like you have done. Thanks again. Keep pushing out these videos! I'm all in!!

[@DIYGene]

Scott, that is fantastic, I really hope you will build one. I had a ball building it and I learned a lot along the way. I can’t wait to build another. Thanks again for watching.

[@Arcturian1111]

Can you use a laserjet printer with clear laser jet paper?

[@Colhogan06]

Thanks for sharing this. I was watching another video where they took 1200 grit wet sand paper to the surface after the decal was on and that process worked to smooth it but this process seemed to work just as good and there wasn't any wet sanding with sandpaper after the decal was positioned.

[@markbrown7103]

That is super cool😎 I’ve built model airplanes for several years. All the way up until about 19 7475 model airplanes have decals in them like those you were using. I learn how to put them on you have to be real careful about not tearing them. But I don’t fly model airplanes anymore in 1974. I traded model airplane flying for guitar plane. I’m 70 years old and still play guitar. Love it dearly. Now I know what to do if something goes wrong with one of my logos on my guitars at least I’ll know how to fix it. Thanks for the video. I appreciate it very much. Have a great day.😁😁👍🏼👍🏼🎸☮️

[@DIYGene]

That is so cool. Thanks so much for the great reply and for watching.

[@buck7477]

Wow great job! That looks great! I would put The Japanese Navigator logo! Or Greco maybe!

[@DIYGene]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@MrSDFD18]

I just caught it at the end. You have to use the clear coat first. That’s what protects the lettering from being rubbed off while removing air bubbles?

[@DIYGene]

@@MrSDFD18, yes the inkjet ink will not hold up in the water unless you seal it with a clear coat spray. I hope that helps. It holds up really well. Thanks for watching.

[@MrSDFD18]

@@DIYGene thanks for sharing your technique.

[@Rollermanfromspace]

If I were using a painted and finished headstock with no logo, would I have to unfinish the headstock, repaint it, apply the custom logo and refinish it? Or could I just slap it on and add new coats of finish?

[@DIYGene]

Dauminator63, You should be able to just place the logo on the finished head stock and place a couple of coat after. I hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@keatoncooper3054]

Hey Gene, would you consider uploading your custom strat logo? Or maybe make a video on how you made yours.

[@ibnoelfikra]

nice tutorial, but can i apply tru-oil on painted surface?

[@longotown]

Great video because I use true oil also and this was the first one I saw using oil. Thanks so much

[@DIYGene]

I don’t think a lot of people know about Tru-Oil. I love the stuff. Thanks for watching.

[@zifirblues]

Thanks for sharing. Just noticed that there are two versions of the decal paper; for ink and laser printers. I do not know which one better suits this job

[@mustardviking5943]

If you print waterslide decals on an inkjet printer you have to clear coat them first. The ink doesn't dry so without the clear coat your decal will disappear when you put it in water

[@INeverWanted2010]

Did you use any kind of polishing compound for the final shine with your buffer?

[@danialm8122]

wow.. how this thing look so easy.. great job sir.

[@racketmuseum]

Hey Gene, thanks so much for the demonstration. Would the same technique work on the fretboard?

[@DIYGene]

You are so welcome. I"m sure it would work fine on the fret board. But I would be concerned about the strings being pressed against it and wearing it out. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@racketmuseum]

@@DIYGene hmm that's a good point, perhaps a decal with a thick coat of transparent Varnish might do the trick. Thank you so much

[@peterschaefer1665]

Interesting. You spray a coat of clear on the label first before applying? Doesn't that make it more difficult to remove the backing?

[@DIYGene]

Not at all it just seals the inkjet ink so that the water can’t penetrate it. That was a really great question. Thanks for watching.

[@klinkokos67]

Thanks alot for the nice infromative video DIY Gene! -KK.

[@DIYGene]

I hope it helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@klinkokos67]

@@DIYGene YW: and - it does :)

[@MartinPodholaMlok]

Wow it is great, I am starting my new project building my telecaster. But I am little bit concerned about light fastness of inkjet print. How it is under clearcoat with it?

[@DIYGene]

@@MartinPodholaMlok , They have held up great. I have some over 6 years old and the graphics look as good today as they did when first applied. Thanks for watching.

[@MartinPodholaMlok]

@@DIYGene thank you so much! I will use this technique. Great video thanks for the advices :)

[@scottconnors8419]

Any purpose of clear coating frals in step 2 copy guess it was?.I'm interested,as ive done waterslides since 60,s. Rat fink n hotroad window decals, never clear coated so wondering the plus if is one..thnx for sharing your Methods..

[@robertjohnston4785]

Thanks Gene Watched you Strat and then had to watch the Telecaster Loved your easy approach to the projects and the great results speak for themselves.. Got to check with the gun shop for some true oil

[@DIYGene]

+Robert Johnston, Thanks, I actually found Tru-oil at Walmart and on Amazon. About $8 bottle will be more than enough for the body and neck. Thanks again for watching.

[@mkilner]

This is Great!...i have a telecaster i built from scratch at school from 1981, and always wanted to put a logo on it, great videos, subbed! 👏🏻🌟🎼🎸

[@DIYGene]

Martin Kilner, I hope this video gave you some good ideas. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jessedgonzales7333]

Killer build and logo! Didn’t see this exact question in the comments, but did you buy the clear or white paper? When going to the link you provided (thank you), there’s those two options and not sure how that would impact the outcome. Thanks!

[@RegebroRepairs]

Yes, you CAN tell where the decal begins and ends. But you can on original Fenders as well, because they also used decals. Maybe not water slide, but decals.

[@DIYGene]

I think the thicker the clear coat is over the decal can help make it less visible. Thanks for watching.

[@JohnK-id1zj]

This is awesome and really helped me out. Thank you!

[@DIYGene]

I am really glad it helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@gazomusic]

Do you need to do anything different if you want to do a white decal on a painted black headstock?

[@getsetknow8998]

So what makes the paper stick, the water or the oil or what? And will glossy sheets for printing or vinyl stickers be good alternatives?

[@atomicpunk]

Good instructional video. I may use this. Thanks !

[@DIYGene]

Thanks Avery.

[@preacherjohn9986]

Hi Gene, what exactly did you mean by "variation" of the Fender logo in Photoshop? Does Photoshop have the script or font like the fender logo. I'm talking about the gold font outlined in black. I've been having problems trying to find this font. Thanks man, my neck is finished all except my custom head-stock logo I wish to make. Oh yeah, I noticed this around the 1:04 mark in the video.

[@MixingGBP]

Gene, What would you recommend for a roasted maple neck? This neck does not have a finish coat and does not require it. I'm not sure I want to put clear coat on it to make it glossy. I want to keep it matte feel as it is. It's a brand new warmoth neck I am working with. I am thinking the water slide decal is cost effective, but maybe an adhesive or screw on plastic logo will look good too and will help to avoid the need to use glossy clear paint on my neck or tru oil.

[@DIYGene]

Could you use a matte finish clear spray? That might help to hide it. Or even then spray the matte over the head stock to blend it in. I hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@MixingGBP]

@@DIYGene thanks!

[@stevesoldwedel]

On a roasted neck, I would either etch or burn a logo into it, but I can understand that causing some anxiety.

[@DIYGene]

Steve Soldwedel, they make a white waterslide material rather than clear. Would that work?

[@muzakmike]

So what was the purpose of spraying the decals with clear coat before you applied them?

[@DIYGene]

The ink from the inkjet will not hold up in the water. So you have to put a clear coat on to protect the print. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@muzakmike]

DIY Gene perfect! Thx

[@dronetuber833]

How long do you need to wait for the clear coat to dry to submerge it in water? @DIYGene

[@murpsman]

What buffing compound did you uses on the Tru-Oil?

[@nick_bass_93]

Super helpful! Can this same process be done to metal, like on a neck plate for example?

[@DIYGene]

I really think it can. Thanks so much for watching.

[@6xcchamber971]

Did you need a certain ink cartridge for the Gold Strat sticker??? Sounds crazy I just haven't done this before. Thankyou

[@DIYGene]

That’s a great question. I just made the color kind of a mustard and the inkjet comes out looking gold. You may want to play with the color till you get it right. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@craigssellingmine]

Will a color laser printer work as well? Thanks for this great video!

[@DIYGene]

craigsellingmine , yes it will work. I tried that as well. Thanks for watching.

[@greenrumour]

Thanks for the great info. Im getting ready to finish my guitar now Im using true oil as well.

[@DIYGene]

I have really enjoyed Tru-Oil. I think the company that makes it is missing the boat with marketing it as a gun stock refinish. Thanks so much for watching.

[@1958marky]

Can you get a CLEAR tru-oil finish and still get same results? Great vid, btw ---- thanks!

[@DIYGene]

I use the spray clear only to set the printed ink from running and it dries fast. But then I use the tru-oil to give it the finish after installing the decal. The tru-oil is thick and levels out nicely and you can apply several coats t get a great finish. I hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@1958marky]

@@DIYGene --- Thanks, Gene --- I don't think I was clear in my question: I want to refinish to a light natural color... what is the best way to do this?

[@DIYGene]

@@1958markyoh sorry. The tru-oil will give you a beautiful finish but it does have a very slight tint to it.

[@MikeCindyWhite]

Great video bud! I make my own decals for my model cars, Never thought of putting custom decals on my guitars!! Thx. man!!

[@DIYGene]

Whiteys Workshop , isn’t that funny? I thought the same thing, I remembered these on car models as a kid. Thanks so much for watching.

[@EwokEight]

Thanks for making this not so intimidating. I was scratching my head not knowing how I was going to approach this before watching your video.

[@DIYGene]

I hope it helps. It is simple, otherwise I couldn’t do it LOL🤪

[@m.giffin5133]

Why did you spray it with clear first? I'm doing a Kramer with the headstock painted black can you spray a clear coat after setting decal? will it work as well as the true oil? Thanks!

[@DIYGene]

I first spray the clear to protect the ink jet printing then if you want you could spray the same clear after you have applied the decal. Thanks for watching.

[@m.giffin5133]

Thanks!

[@Michael-jv2cn]

Very nice video. That looks really easy to do. Thanks for showing how.

[@DIYGene]

I hope you found it helpful. Thanks for checking it out.

[@LittrellyK]

Thank you for this video! Would this method also work on the metal neck plate on the back of my Partscaster?

[@DIYGene]

Yes it will. But i recommend you spray a clear coat over it to seal it in. That may dull the metal a bit. Thanks for watching

[@larryingram6481]

I would like to know who does that sort of thing and how much would they charge to do a couple for me

[@microfretsguitars1449]

Great video! How long does the clear coat take to dry on the decal before you install it on the headstock? Thanks!

[@DIYGene]

About an hour. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@anthonysclafani3963]

+DIY Gene for the clearcoat spray step before you put the decal in the water, do you need to use a spray/aerosol, or would something like tru oil also work?

[@Disco58]

I am a long time scale modeler, who uses decals a lot. All you need is a very slick service, provided by....whatever. It doesn't matter if it's Tru-oil, clear lacquer, urethane, etc. But it shouldn't be be bare wood, no matter how smooth it might be. Bare wood will absorb water and the grain will swell.

[@stratcat2554]

Gene, I have been clearcoating labels after applied and sanding down to get rid of bump. Many, many coats of clear coat and sanding. So you're saying the Tru Oil levels out the decal bump without all the other work?

[@DIYGene]

Richard Shoultz, I kid you not. Tru-Oil is thicker so it levels out smoother. I usually do two coats. I love that stuff. Thanks so much for watching.

[@RazvanCosti]

Essential piece of information i didn’t see: where did you get the Photoshop editable logos?

[@DIYGene]

I just went to google images and typed in fender telecaster logo. There are tons of usable logos. Then I used the fender logo, cut it up in photoshop to create my own Telecaster logo. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@RazvanCosti]

@@DIYGene ok..i was hoping to know where i could find editable fonts and designs to write one’s name on the decal, for example

[@DIYGene]

@@RazvanCosti, I totally understand and I could not find anything close. So I kind of had to cut it up and reconfigure it.

[@thephoenixcycle8854]

Why did you do an initial clear coat on the headstock stickers before you even applied them?

[@DIYGene]

To seal the. Inkjet ink because it is not water proof. I hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching.

[@igorsafradin176]

You da man Gene, tnx a bunch.

[@DIYGene]

Thank you for watching!

[@jotalagarta]

QUÉ ACEITE ES ESE DE TRU-OIL que pueda encontrar en Madrid???

[@SeanKStephens]

I was fixing to make a sticker and put clear polyurethane over it and started to worry that maybe there was a better way and I'm glad I found your channel and this video.

[@DIYGene]

Sean Stephens , Thanks so much for watching.

[@harrybo2973]

Great & very helpful Video!!! I 've painted the Headstock with a Sprayfoil 6 want to know, if there is an alternative for the oil, when I want to put a waterslide decal on it? Sorry for my english ;-)

[@ShralpingTheGnar]

Thanks for the video! I’m going to do this soon. Did you just use a dry buffing pad at the end?

[@MingQu]

Hi Gene, I wonder how you make the color gold, I tried to print the decal but the gold part looks really bad. Would you mind to give some tips, please?

[@DIYGene]

I just made the color a light mustard color. It darkened down on the wood. I hope that helps.

[@MingQu]

@@DIYGene Thanks Gene

[@akakum95]

Can I use the Tru-Oil on the plastic of the pickguard? Or it's just for the wood? Ty, I'm ignorant about this :(

[@akakum95]

And.. What is the grain of the sandpaper that you used for sand the neck and the headstock?

[@DIYGene]

Akakum, I have not tried Tru-Oil on a pick guard but I have used slide decals on the pick guard and then sprayed Krylon clear over it. Here is a link to a bass building that I do that exact thing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHWWqWR7Za6hpac Thanks for watching.

[@DIYGene]

Akakum, I start with 220 and if it needs more I can go to 400 grit. But most of the time the 220 grit works fine.

[@akakum95]

Ty Man! I love you channel

[@akakum95]

Last question I swear.. Can i put the Tru-Oil on the fretboard to darken It?

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Another great video, thanks

[@DIYGene]

Derrick Bentham , Thanks for watching!

[@mayiask654]

Thanks for sharing :) How do you produce the metallic gold colour for the decals? I doubt that this can be reached with regular inkjet printer inks...

[@DIYGene]

I did this with a regular ink jet printer, but it’s not metallic gold. It is actually a mustard color. I’m not sure how I would approach doing a real metallic. Thanks for watching.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Try writing over the logo with metallic gold ink pen.

[@kirth1573]

GENE!!! do you have to do logo with transparent background or can it be done over white????? and do u know roughly what size the logo is

[@DIYGene]

They also do make waterslide decal in white. If you go to the link in the description, I think you can choose clear or white. I printed the logo about 2.5” long, but I would print it on paper first to size it up. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@1975cassidy]

Nice video! Great info. I’ve used tru oil before and a big fan. I was mostly curious about the use of waterslide printable transfer. Seems to look great. The buffing sure brings it all together at the end! What kind of compound did you use while buffing the tru oil? Also - how long do you typically let your coats of tru oil dry and set between coats? Thanks!

[@DIYGene]

I try to let the tru-oil dry overnight. I have found that just automotive polishing compound works great. I hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@1975cassidy]

@@DIYGene that’s what I was going to use! So yes. That confirms it. Keep up the great work and nice job on letting the negative comments roll on by.

[@Tmanshuttle]

Any chance you can show how you made the logo in photoshop to be similar to the fender logo?

[@BuddycatAFK]

This is late but if anyone else is curious... if you want your own text there’s quite a few free fonts. Just google fender logo font. In photoshop the easiest way is just to change the color of the font then add an outline (called stroke in photoshop) in any color you want.

[@eddiearnold768]

Thank you..I needed to know that

[@pamcarr4003]

Thanks so much for the info. Great video!

[@medmusic7977]

Very nice video ! I will do that when i receive the kit :D !

[@APlagueOfButterflies]

It's tedious, but relatively easy, to feather edge the clear coat so you don't see the edges of the logo. It might take 3 or 4 coats but it can be done. It looks *spectacular* when you're done.

[@DIYGene]

Good advice! Thanks for watching.

[@joepops5186]

hi great video thank you , how do i size the logo for printing?

[@DIYGene]

Thanks, when I am sizing it up, I print it on plane paper then cut it out to see how it fits on the head stock. I hope that helps. Thanks again for watching.

[@Britmysta]

Thx Gene! Your video helped me so much!

[@DIYGene]

I’m so glad it helped. Thanks so much for watching.

[@stratcat2554]

Thanks Gene! Does true oil apply over a painted Head stock for water slide application?

[@DIYGene]

Yes, I used it to finish the guitar body after painting it with water based paint. It works great.

[@stratcat2554]

Thank you!

[@martybrooke7060]

Hey Gene, great video! the paper you selected is for laser printers and the Edson XP 640 is an inkjet. Please confirm that’s what you recommend?

[@DIYGene]

Yes, In its description it says it is for inkjet and laser. Waterslide Decal Paper https:@t I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@omarvasquez2963]

Terrific video. Thanks!

[@DIYGene]

Thank you! And thanks so much for watching.

[@iamraider4318]

Perfect hack sir! Is it a photopaper u are using? Thanks!

[@DIYGene]

It is a waterslide decal paper. Her is a link to it on Amazon: Waterslide Decal Paper amzn.to/2JTwR66 Thanks for watching.

[@StevenParente]

Great video Gene! Very helpful. Subscribed! I'm getting ready to apply something to my tele kit.

[@anthonysclafani3963]

+DIY Gene Do you need a special kind of printer to print the decals? Is it necessary to spray the decal with clear before applying it? Great video as always

[@DIYGene]

+Anthony Sclafani, Any inkjet printer will work. And you want to spray the clear over them to protect the ink from running when you soak them in water. Thanks.

[@gugarl]

Great tips! Thanks. Did you like the tru-oil above decal result? I was thinking if this was going to work for years, but never tested, and now it seems to be OK, right? Best regards.

[@adamauzmendi7851]

Hey gene, I can’t get the ink to set on the waterslide it stays wet and just smudges off?even after 12 hours. Any ideas why?? I’ve searched online and can’t seem to see anyone else with this problem

[@FansSports]

Wow excellent!! Subscribed

[@DIYGene]

FansSports,Thank you so much! And thanks for watching.

[@moosey62]

Top vid Gene. Hats off. Thanks a million mate.

[@DIYGene]

Matt, Thanks so much for watching.

[@skylineXpert]

If its a kramer sticker/decal on a 5150 painted headstock, how do you make it stick permanent on before lacquer?

[@DIYGene]

If you are going to be using lacquer, I would clear coat the decal using a can of spray lacquer first. That way the finish coats will not harm the decal. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@tnokeefe]

Hi, Gene the tru-oil can't? be an oil how does it mix with paint and water it seems a strange brew I must say I am not familiar with it, can you give an explanation? cheers and thanks Terry

[@DIYGene]

Hi Terry, Tru-Oil is an unusual product. It is oil based so it can’t be cleaned or thinned with water. It feels like a thick oil when you apply it, but it levels out so smooth and dries to a hard glassy finish with no oily residue. A little bottle goes a long way. I hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I stripped of the poly lacquer from a guitar neck and put 8 coats of Truoil on. Just for experiment to see how it is. And after buffing and polishing it looked exactly the same as the original finish. After 2 years the neck now has a beautiful golden hue that the original finish would never have got to.

[@D.Guitar]

Will they make any custom logo in "waterslide decal"? Because my logo is the Word Custom... ONLY made in Gibson's lettering. And slanted like their emblem

[@DIYGene]

You can make it anything you like. I used photoshop and recruited the word Stratocaster in a Fender style font.

[@guitarandgraves]

What file format did you use in order to print it out with transparency? I assume .png?

[@DIYGene]

I just printed directly out of photoshop so it was a psd file but you could save it to a jpeg or a png file if you prefer it really won’t matter. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@EricLDC]

What size do I set printer to print? Some times it's too small or too big when I print the logo advice? Epson XP-6100

[@DIYGene]

I think you have to set the printer to the actual size of the paper. This always throws me too. Also I would print it on regular paper until it sizes to what you need. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@EricLDC]

@@DIYGene wow thanks my squire is complete made it from parts off Craigslist

[@douglassloan6831]

Hi Gene, Loving each and every one of the videos. I tried to print out the decal I pulled of the net, and every time I put it in water, the gold color disappeared. Couldn't figure out how to get it to stick on the decal. Has that ever happened to you?

[@DIYGene]

Douglas Sloan, Sorry this is happening to you. Are you spraying a clear coat on the decal before you put it in water?

[@douglassloan6831]

@@DIYGene I am, Gene. An Acrylic sealer. I even tried it with a sticker and the same thing happened. I'm thinking it's the printer and/or ink. Would that make sense?

[@DIYGene]

Douglas Sloan I’ve never seen that before. Now on my ink jet printer it really does not do gold it’s more of a mustard. I’m sorry you are having these issues.

[@douglassloan6831]

@@DIYGene Thank you so much. I am getting so much out of your videos I figured I'd take a shot and see if it seemed familiar. I'll try another printer, maybe one at a Fed Ex store and see how that goes. Keep up the good work!

[@DIYGene]

Thank you so much. I have used a laser printer before and it worked as well. Good luck with your project and thanks again for watching.

[@davidhill5684]

Brilliant! Nice job, again!

[@DIYGene]

Thank you!

[@TheImageDoctor]

Nice vid Gene - liked and subscribed

[@DIYGene]

Thanks so much for watching

[@SpaceTurkey_33]

Well done amigo!! Great video!

[@DIYGene]

Thanks for watching.

[@danialm8122]

5:20 how long does it take to dry?

[@DIYGene]

Danial M , I would let it dry at least 2 hours or overnight. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@danjones3009]

What type of printer did you use?? 🤔 Thank you.

[@DIYGene]

I used a simple inkjet printer. I hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@danjones3009]

@@DIYGene Cool! I have a deep tank inkjet. I always thought I needed a laser printer. The trick is to use the clear coat spray. Do you use gloss or matte or satin? Cheers!

[@DIYGene]

@@danjones3009, I used gloss but I don’t think that matters as much as protecting it. You will then want to put a clear coat over the entire headstock. How do you like the deep tank printer?