After the shaping process...

I just started shaping my own board about a month ago. At this point im pretty much done with the shaping process, or at least I think. My question is, Is this the time to now think about color/grafix? I do own shaping 101 and glassing 101, but i never got a clear understaning as to when and on what surface the color is put on. Does it go directly on the foam? Im trying to make a board that has color on the rails that is different than the rest of the board. Maybe a two toned red. Might It be better to just skip coloring concidering this is my first attempt at building my own?..I don’t want it to turn out too ugly. Im just lookin for some direction. thanks K

I just started shaping my own board about a month ago. At this point im > pretty much done with the shaping process, or at least I think. My > question is, Is this the time to now think about color/grafix? I do own > shaping 101 and glassing 101, but i never got a clear understaning as to > when and on what surface the color is put on. Does it go directly on the > foam? Im trying to make a board that has color on the rails that is > different than the rest of the board. Maybe a two toned red.>>> Might It be better to just skip coloring concidering this is my first > attempt at building my own?..I don’t want it to turn out too ugly.>>> Im just lookin for some direction. thanks K If this is a short board, paint the foam. If it is a classic Longboard, paint the sand coat. With painting the sand coat you may have a problem with sanding and polishing the gloss coat, if you brake through the gloss coat you have a white spot. Most short boards don’t have a gloss coat so it is easer to just paint the foam. But for eather one make sure you have the right type of paint.

If this is a short board, paint the foam. If it is a classic Longboard, > paint the sand coat. With painting the sand coat you may have a problem > with sanding and polishing the gloss coat, if you brake through the gloss > coat you have a white spot. Most short boards don’t have a gloss coat so > it is easer to just paint the foam. But for eather one make sure you have > the right type of paint. Thanks for the advice, this would be for a shortboard with a single fin. I’d actually like to finish it with a gloss. With that said, should I go about it as if it were a longboard? I’ll definately do my research on the paint, thanks again. K

Thanks for the advice, this would be for a shortboard with a single fin. > I’d actually like to finish it with a gloss. With that said, should I go > about it as if it were a longboard? I’ll definately do my research on the > paint, thanks again.>>> K You want to use water based acrylic paint,ie: liquatex. Also best to paint on the foam for all boards. Aloha, Kokua

I havn’t made too many boards but from very recent experience I have a few suggestions.In my humble worthless opinion sticking to light colours would be easier and be wary of painting the blank a darker shade red as it can look patchy if you spray too thick. I’d also urge caution on spraying the sanding coat on the rails as you’re more likely to sand through spots of gloss coat on the rails. When spraying the sanding coat, the thinner the layer of paint the better for later when getting the gloss coat to bond tidily. Also if you spray the blank it’s worth going around the edges of the masking tape an extra time (or two)applying gentle pressure with your finger as you slide it along the edge of the tape too ensure the tape doesn’t lift and allow the paint to bleed through. If like me you don’t have the means for the airbrush kit etc then a can of car spray paint will work as long as it’s acrylic based. (to avoid the colours running) Good luck!

I havn’t made too many boards but from very recent experience I have a few > suggestions.In my humble worthless opinion sticking to light colours would > be easier and be wary of painting the blank a darker shade red as it can > look patchy if you spray too thick. I’d also urge caution on spraying the > sanding coat on the rails as you’re more likely to sand through spots of > gloss coat on the rails. When spraying the sanding coat, the thinner the > layer of paint the better for later when getting the gloss coat to bond > tidily. Also if you spray the blank it’s worth going around the edges of > the masking tape an extra time (or two)applying gentle pressure with your > finger as you slide it along the edge of the tape too ensure the tape > doesn’t lift and allow the paint to bleed through. If like me you don’t > have the means for the airbrush kit etc then a can of car spray paint will > work as long as it’s acrylic based. (to avoid the colours running) Good > luck! I like the look of a board that has the sand/hot coat painted. It looks classic. If you are into that look then go ahead and paint the foam. Do follow the advice given so far it is all good. I’m not sure about the car spray paint, I have never tried that one. I got a air brush kit for less then $20. It is not a pro kit but it works for me.

For a one time deal, you can paint on foam with a rubber spong type brush. Try and keep the paint on the blank as thin as possible making sure all of the little air pockets in the foam are painted. When you paint around the masking tape pull your paint bush from the tape to the foam for a crisp line. Just do it!

Thanks for all your help. Im so glad I found this place!! Thanks again, kev