Guitar Decals are a fantastic way to personalize your instrument, adding a unique touch to your guitar’s headstock or body. Applying them might seem daunting, but with a little patience and care, you can achieve a professional-looking result. This guide will walk you through the process of applying guitar decals, ensuring a smooth and lasting finish.
First, prepare your water slide guitar decal by soaking it in water for about 30 to 60 seconds. This will loosen the decal film from its backing paper. Don’t rush this step; ensure the film moves freely before proceeding.
Once soaked, carefully remove the decal and backing paper together from the water using tweezers. Position it over the desired location on your guitar headstock. Gently hold the decal film in place while sliding the backing paper out from underneath with the tweezers. The decal should now be sitting on the headstock surface.
At this stage, there will likely be water both under and around the guitar decal. This is beneficial as it allows you to carefully reposition the decal until it is perfectly aligned. If it’s not sliding easily, a tiny drop or two of water will help it float and become adjustable again.
With the decal in the correct position, use a soft kitchen towel to gently soak up the majority of the excess water. Then, using a fresh, dry section of the towel, lightly dab the decal. This action presses out any remaining water and helps the decal adhere smoothly. Be extremely gentle during this step to avoid accidentally shifting or tearing the delicate decal film.
After ensuring the decal is flat, wrinkle-free, and appears dry, it’s crucial to let it sit overnight. This waiting period allows any microscopic amounts of trapped water to fully evaporate, ensuring optimal adhesion.
Finally, to protect your newly applied guitar decal and seamlessly integrate it with your guitar’s finish, you’ll need to apply clear coats of lacquer. The initial coats are critical: they must be very light mist coats. Applying heavy coats immediately can cause damage and wrinkling to the decal. Hold the spray can further away than usual to apply a very thin, misted layer. Apply one mist coat, wait approximately 30 minutes, and then apply another. Don’t worry if the surface appears slightly textured or ‘pebbly’ at first; this will smooth out as you apply subsequent, heavier coats of lacquer.
