For Gene Cooper or others with tail or fin patch knowledge

General Discussion
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I’ve exhausted all my search querys in the archives with no luck. Can anyone tell me how they laminate the diamond shaped tail patch on a longboard? Does it go underneath the main sheet of glass on the bottom? Particularly on a resin tinted board, I was wondering if the edges of the patch are lapped up to the deck or if they are cut flush with the bottom of the rails. Gene’s boards look perfect and they all seem to have these patches so I thought I would direct this towards him.

Sorry, one more . . . If you were doing 10oz volan top and bottom, would you use 10oz volan for the patch? Thanks in advance for your help. -Jeff

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We do the tail patch (assuming this is the one for reinforcing the fin box(es)) using two methods:

First, to make it show, place it under the lamination against the foam. It extends out to the edge of the outline but not wrapping the rail. Using more than 6 oz cloth may leave a lump line; strengthwise 6 oz should do when combo’ed with 10 oz. Tip: to get a nice symmetric patch fold the piece of cloth in half along where the stringer/centerline will be. Cut it out on a clean flat surface (not on the board as scissors could dent the foam). When you unfold it the point will look a lot more professional. Carefully lay it (still folded) where you want it to be and cut the outline of the tail. Unfold very carefully so as to not shift your work.

Second, to make the patch clear, place it on top of the colored lamination (after both sides are glassed). This technique reinforces the area but does not intefere with the color. When dry, fair the rough edges of the patch with a clean Surform or clean abrasives.

You probably already know that clear Volan patchwork on clear Volan laminations also looks insane. Use the same techniques as the first method. HTH…

1 Like
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Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for your help. -Jeff

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i just noticed this post today…do you laminate the tinted tail patch when you are lamming the bottom, in one step. or do you tape off, lam the tail patch, and cut. then finish laminating the bottom?

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do it all in one shot

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little survey,tinted tail patches…one shot or tape & cut. ???

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Thanks Plus One

I’ve been donig method #2…

was wondering how to make that perfict tail patch that I see on so many classic longboards.

Ray

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I do it all in one step. I think it looks cool to have different shades.

Another tip…this one for deck patches. If you want all identical cuts. Fold the cloth in half vertically then horizontally. One cut turns into 4 of the same cuts.

Austin S.

www.austinsurfboards.com

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Quote:

If you want all identical cuts. Fold the cloth in half vertically then horizontally. One cut turns into 4 of the same cuts.

thanks for saving the day, captain obvious!