Acrylic Enamels

I’m not very well versed in paints, but I want to paint my finished surfboard. Cleanlines told me earlier that he has used acrylic lacquer from Plasti-Kote, but I haven’t found a place in San Francisco that sells it. My question is this: can I use an acrylic enamel (such as what dupli-color makes) on top of a glassed surfboard? Also, does anybody know of a store in or near San Francisco that sells acrylic lacquer spraypaints? Thanks. -Charter

Also, if there is any other type of spray paint I could use please let me know about that as well. Thanks. -Charter

make sure the board surface is clean, absolutely clean, chemically clean. I’d also suggest a light wet sanding to ensure cleanliness (did I mention you have to have a clean surface?) and also, equally important, provide a little tooth to the surface. If this is to go on the bottom, you may want to topcoat your spray with a little clear. I see no preference to using acrylic, epoxy, or any particular type of paint, though someone else may suggest there is.

Charter, The duplicolor from the auto parts store is usually acrylic laquer. Read the label and it should tell. Try the auto parts store. And yes a clean surface is a must. Try Krylon if you’re just doing a solid color. If you dont like it just take some paint thinner and wipe it off…start over. Put a light coat of clear over what ever you do! Mike

Typical spray can acrylic lacquers work fine on polyester, vinyl ester or epoxy, but there is a down side. The alcohols in sunscreens used by many surfers and any alcohol of 50% or greater will dissolve the lacquer. This is not your typical baked on clear coat, nor is it a two part spray finish. You can acheive a very nice finish (real nice when wet sanded at 600-800) with a high degree of UV protection and good sealing of any exposed glass, but the finish can and will dissolve and get sticking and grimmy when exposed to a number of different solvents. The toluene and ketone vapors are also kinda nasty.

Heheh, no worries there cus I don’t use sunscreen at all, any other concerns for lacquer?

can the lacquer be applied to a blank w/o problems?

yes and no. depends of polystyrene vs polyurethane blanks. depends on solvents in the lacquer. Spray paints and lacquers should not be use on styro blanks obviously, same reasons you want to be careful with acetone and do not use polyester resins. You can paint up a clark or others (polyurethane) blank with spray paint enamels and such, but the polyester resin will melt the paint, it will deform latex paints, and others. Now for clear lacquers you will not really see the resin (styrene) dissolving the lacquer, but it is happening.

can you recommend a good quality paint to use on blanks. something better than water based paints? something that dries fast…