Ok another question I just thought of today.

When cleaning and polishing my Strat, how much, if any, care should be given to the headstock decals? I was wondering if, for example, using something like Formula 65 polish/cleaner might "wear" off the decals.

I am not trying to specifically clean the decals, just the headstock in general and don't want to screw something up.

I expect the type of finish on the neck will have a lot to do with it. If its nitrocellulose then that is less resilient to polishing as polyurethane is and so will perish more readily. I have a gloss poly neck on my MIJ and it is hard as nails!

Tinted Satin Urethane Finish is what the specs say the neck is finished with.

It's a poly neck then. Unless you are using an agressive polish, with an agressive polishing action and polishing it every day you are highly unlikely, no, very unlikely to ever polish it out. lol

Thanks for the feedback guys. I thought of this looking at the serial and was wondering what was keeping it from getting worn off over time. I was also wondering if the serial decal could be replaced if lost...the worries of a new father, lol

Wear of the decals shouldn't be a worry, as the clear finish is applied OVER the decal. If you're polishing enough to wear thru the finish and mess up your decal, then you're definitely polishing too much! In other words, don't sweat it.

I stay away from those labels, especially the serial numbers.