I have an '84 Squire Strat that was autographed by Robin Trower at a concert I attended a couple of years ago. I would love to play it but right now it's in the case. He signed it right where my arm rests and his signature is starting to wear off. My husband tried to clear-coat it by testing a spot on the back but you can see the spray marks. I've always loved this guitar and it's even more special to me now since Robin told me he had one exactly like it.
I can't seem to find anyone to take on the job and didn't know if the Fender Custom Shop does work like that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

The problem with something like this is doing a nice job without damaging the signature. A guitar gets a lot of contaminates on it from the hands and the body. Any oil or dirt will cause problems with the clear coat making "fish eyes" and plain not sticking. That is why one should clean the surface with a good paint-prep solution, which could take off the signature. Also to get the clear to stick one needs to sand the finish...

But there is a work around. Use warm soapy water, like dish soap, and a clean sponge and gently wash the arm bevel area and then towel dry. Then mask that area using the masking tape curled up on the edges to create a feather for the finish. Use the edge of the body for a break and the end of the bevel to the front of the body as the break, with the tape curled upward. mask off the rest of the guitar with some newspaper to prevent over-spray. Then take some urethane in a spray can and lay down a very light coat just over the signature. Let it dry for 1/2 hr and then do another coat going father out toward the tape. Do that like 3 times letting it dry in between. After a few days, you could wet sand the edges of the spray it a little 2000# sand paper and buff it or just leave it the way it looks after you spray it. Try testing on something else first! Not the best but would work to protect it and you did say you play this anyhow so it is not just locked up in a case.... right???

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Step one : Clean the guitar well, but do not use any polish or wax.....and do not use anything but a cloth dampened with water near that signature!
Step two : rub the body with 0000 steel wool, but not the signature area! this will microscopically scratch the surface to help allow the clear coat to stick well.
Step three : Start off spraying your clear coat (you can use clear acrylic) in a very "dry" coat, covering just the signature area with a fine mist. Don't make it "wet" looking, rather just make it look like light overspray.
Step four : Once this coat has dried, start spraying the guitar in thicker coats, trying to make the guitar look wet. Let the coats dry thoroughly between each coat.
Step five : when you have several layers dried, and have built up a good base, you can begin to wet-sand the body to even out the surface..use VERY fine papers, like 1500 grit. After the body is dry from the wet-sanding go to
Step six : Use a buffing compound or 3m scratch remover (go to autozone) and either buff it out by hand, or carefully use a buffer or a drill attachment pad. It will gloss right up, and the signature will be protected for a great long time

Mr. X and Steve-Oh,

Your suggestions are much appreciated. I thank you both for taking the time and trouble to help out. I have other strats but I agree with you Mr. X, guitars are meant to be played, not live in a case.

p.s. Enjoy watching your new build Xhefri!