To do an opaque swirl on the deck with 2 layers 7.5 volan and knee patch, how would you cut the 3 layers and on which do you do the swirl? Would you do the swirl on the first deck layer, then the knee patch and final rail wrap layer in clear over that? In other words, how do you do opaque work that stops at the lap, while still getting one layer to wrap the rail? Hope this makes sense- Bones
To do an opaque swirl deck first laminate the bottom and trim the lap on the deck. Next tape over the entire lap all the way to the bottom so no color will end up on the lap. Only the deck foam is now exposed. Pull your first layer of cloth over your deck. Now there are a couple of ways to mix the color. Opaques are tricky because only certain colors look good together. I used to like to do blues, purples, yellows etc. in a white base. It’s best not to make the white to opaque so you color shows better. Mix your base and your swirl color seperately including your hardener. Just a dixie cup full for the swirl is plenty. I’ve seen the next step done a couple ways. Donny Mulhern used to just dump the dixie cup in and stir it about 2 or 3 times. Scott Busbey pinched the dixie cup and swirled the color into the base bucket. I’ve done both and you get a different effect from each. Anyway now you just pour the resin in the pattern you want and carefully sqeegee off the excess. After the resin gels trim along your original lap (it’s really easy. You can just let the razor blade follow the hardened lap). If your using volan your going to have to tape the bottom lap and finish the top layer clear with labels. And that’s it.
Thanks Greg! So the knee patch and lap layer on the deck will be in clear after the deck swirl. Your explanation made perfect sense. Stoked to see your knowledge in Swaylocks, I’ve always admired your sense of innovation in surfboard design. Thanks man- Bones
Yes the other laters are clear. And thank you for the cudos.