Lacquer not covering headstock artwork

[j48johnson]

Hereare three pictures I have just taken with my problem. Is this normal? The pictures are BIG and I left them that way so you can see what I'm talking about. I hope it shows up on here so you can try to help out. These pictures are taken after SEVERAL coats of lacquer, with sanding in between. It may or may not show but on the bottom of the "M" on the body of the guitar, I started to sand through and then stopped. I put three more coats of lacquer over the top of the headstock after I started to sand into the decal. Do I need to just keep laying it on and sanding back off? What am I missing?

[j48johnson]

Since taking these pictures and posting this, I have changed my ways! lol I am now coating the ehadstock with lacquer as normal, but I am not sanding in between coats so it builds up. Once it levels out, I'll let the lacquer cure. I think it is going to shrink back down, if it does, I'll re-coat. Good plan?

B-rad in Akron

[twostring]

Gee, B-rad.
That looks like a case of oil and vinegar not wanting to mix.
I'd suggest asking the guy at BeldenVillage Music or Woodsy's in Kent but this looks like a really basic chemistry issue. Show your second picture to the guy working at the finishing desk at Home Depot.