Question about waterslide decals and restoring an old offset

[Tweedledee]

I'm refinishing a '65 Jaguar that I bought with a horrible refinish job. I'm doing it in Inca Silver with a matching headstock. I put the waterslide decal on today after painting/wet sanding/buffing the headstock, but I was wondering what the general consensus is on shooting over the decal with some clear? Did Fender just put them directly on top of the finished headstock and call it a day or did they shoot a coat or two of clear over them back in '65? Is it better to put some clear over it to protect it or will it be fine without it?

Thanks!

[wardpike]

All the ones I've seen have had the final 1 to 3 coats of nitro over top of the decal. This is what I did with restoring my 65 JM as well.

I would be amazed if you can find fault with this:

[Junkyard God]

[Orang Goreng]

Did Fender just put them directly on top of the finished headstock and call it a day or did they shoot a coat or two of clear over them back in '65?

The first option. They easily scratch off, so you might want to go Ward's way.

[Tweedledee]

Thanks for the suggestions! I ended up following Danocaster's method:

Three lightly misted coats of clear over the decal. Then after it has fully dried (an hour or so) go over it lightly with some 0000 steel wool to knock down any unevenness. Worked great! Then I buffed it out with some 3m Finesse It to shine it up. Done!