I don't know much about doing a fabric nose inlay for a longboard. I heard that some guys actually put down the outlining pinline first, then lam the fabric into it. What's the easiest way and/or trick to getting it very straight and just on the outlining pinline? It has to be tough trying not to show any foam between the pinline and fabric. Any ideas or comments?
Jeb, I’ve never done it that way. I think that would be very difficult. heard rotory scissors are the key to cutting fabric without getting loose threads at the cut but I don’t own any so I lay the pin on the hotcoat to straighten out minor wobbles in the cut line and cover the loose threads that get pulled when laminating.
I usually tape of the pattern on the blank, shoot it, trim it when gelled and then laminate the rest of the board. Trimmed cleanly you don’t need a pin, although they usually look better with one. I usually do the pin on the hot coat but I’ve also used pinline tape under the glass.
I’m with Greg on that technique.The only thing I might mention is that you can let the resin cure out harder than the jell stage.Inlay cloth is a lot weaker than fiberglass.Actually I have come back and trimmed the inlay the day after laminating.Also I always do a pinline on the hotcoat.It may not be the only way but as Kokua might say “It works for me”. R.B.
Howzit RB, I like to wait til the next day myself before trimming the excess cloth. I thin out the resin for cloth inlays,about 25% styrene, for max. cloth saturation. This slows the curing time and like you mentioned cloth isn’t as strong as fiberglass so it’s no problem trimming it. Aloha, Kokua
Try washing the cloth first to get the binder out,then iron it to keep it wrinkel free. The cloth will lay out smooth.
Howzit Doug,I suggest adding a little vinegar to the wash to help set the dye in the material. Juke and Bob cates said to say hi to you. Aloha, Kokua
Kokua,How’s it Bra. Good to hear from my old bro’s.Hope all is well with everyone. I’ve been away from Kauai way too long. I’ll have to drop in and see how everyone is doing. It must be over 25 years since I’ve been there. Could you pass this on for me,thanks. Aloha,Doug.ps,thanks for the tip.
Howzit Doug, I can’t seem to find Jukes e-mail address but here’s Bob cates. . I know they would like to hear from you, I’ll get Jukes for you. Aloha, Kokua
What ever you do do now try to do the pinline on top of the glass lam. I tried it and It was a mistake. the pin line ran because the glass is still rough and didnt stay in my tape line i made. I say that On top of the sand coat would be your best bet. Oh yea… what is this pin stripe tape?? Ive only used resin pinstripes. I want to get a pen to do it soon, but this tape sounds interesting, If you know where to get it let Me know… Thanks!! http://dirtyglassing.com
Howzit John, Where ever did you get the idea to try doing a pinline on the lammed glass. I’m sure there’s something in the archives saying that’s a no no. You can airbrush them on the foam or use a pen or pigment on the sanded hotcoat if you’re doing a gloss. Some times it’s better to look before you leap( even better to check the archives), especially if you have any doubts. Aloha, Kokua
Yea i did that before i even knew about this place. Just figured if i did it on the lam then the sanding would covor it so wouldnt have no bump… that worked… but i didnt think about it runnin due to the rought surface… I guess its a do and learn kinda Job sometimes. hehe… But the board rode friggin great, so i was stoked about that. Thanks…All http://dirtyglassing.com
OK, so here is how I plan doing my first fabric inlay. Please feel free to correct an flaws in my procedure:
-
Glass the bottom of the board (yellow).
-
Tape off deck. Cut fabric and lay on deck. Fold back the cloth lengthwise and apply epoxy directly to foam. Smooth out fabric with squeegee and continue to apply epoxy to top of fabric.
-
Cut fabric at tape line the following day.
-
Apply fiberglass cloth to deck and laminate.
-
Hot coat.
-
Pin line.
Sound good?
Stay rad