I’ve been using a particular glass shop in Orange County, CA, for a while now. I’ve had some really nice results, and some not so nice results produced by them. I’ve had “perfect” paint and glass jobs, but also some irritating problems from them. I’m a cash paying customer who has no large contract with them, & gets no discount either. I know that I’m a little picky, but I’m just looking at it like a surfboard customer would. If a guy sees a brand new board on a rack at a local surf shop that has: a nickel size blemish in the paint, or too many pin holes/ pits in the glass, or some of the glass weave starting to show, or a fabric nose inlay that isn’t aligned against the pin line edge (showing foam beneath)etc., would they buy the board? NO WAY! They’d probably just look for a “cleaner” board or ask for a discount. Lately, I’ve been wondering if I should just try another shop in my area. It seems that the glasser I go to is very inconsistant with quality and attention to detail, even when I kindly suggest or ask about problems. Some of you have mentioned “Waterman’s Guild” in Santa Ana, CA. Do they provide glassing services for the “little guy”. Do they have decent “attention to detail” and quality? Thanks, Grant
What city is this shop in?
The shop is located in Westminster CA, near Foam-EZ. There are actually a few surfboard manufacturers / glass shops over in this location. That’s all I’ll say about their location. Don’t wan’t to give the exact name on this bulletin board. It’s not like the shop totally sucks…just sucks sometimes for the “little guy”. I think only concentrate on their big accounts first. I want to find a good reliable glass shop within a 10-20 mile radius of my house in Westminster. Anyone regularly use Waterman’s Guild?
…They’re good!Say hi to Rob Brown for me.Have you tried Aloha next to Chas?Herb
Haven’t tried Aloha. Did ya get good results there? I would like to find a glass shop that has the boards airbrushed on the premises, instead of sending them out prior glassing. Waterman’s airbrush on sight?
Grant, If you can get Waterman’s to glass your board, I think you will be very pleased with the quality of the work. Like any glass shop, they have their share of slip ups but they are rare. I think, over all, they do some of the best work around. Give Ron a call at 714-751-0603.
Hey I worked right next to there and all of our boards went through that place. Seems though wherever you go theres some issues, seems to come with the whole production thing of getting as many boards done as possible. These guys work piecemeal and only want to spend so much time with each board. Place where my boards get glassed now im having issues with FCS fin placement where sometimes the fins are as much as 1/8inch off and the tow on one fin is straighter than the other.
Sounds good enough for me. I’m gonna check em’ out now! Thanks
…Yes,painting is done in house at Waterman’s.As far as Aloha,I’m not sure,most likely or Chas might paint for him.Ask for Steve Albin tell him Herb sent you.His work is good and consistant. …Waterman’s does some big “picky” guys like Harbour,and Bruce Jones.If you know these two boards/or builders than that say it all.Herb
Howzit Jason, That’s the problem with some factories they put the bucks before quality. New employees can cause temporary dips in quality, but a good shop will train them to do it right really fast.Don’t forget Murphy’s law is always lurking just waiting to throw a monkey wrench into the works. As for the FCS problem, some installers think it’s more important that the plugs are centered in the hole instead of where they are meant to go. A little tip about FCS rail jigs is to sand the face of the jig flat since they come out of the mold with a slight concave which is a ongoing thing in injection molding. Aloha, Kokua
Mahalo Kokua, thanks for the info. its been an ongoing problem that when i point it out to the guy installing the fins the answer was “hey man the water doesnt know the difference” yeah but i do. Ive actually had to cut the tabs on my FCS fins to reposition them correctly.
Do you guys know of any glass shops in Northern California?
Howzit Jason, Sounds like installer is a non-surfer or a kook that doesn’t realize how important fin placement is. Maybe the water can’t tell the difference but you can and that’s what’s important. I have a hunch he won’t have a job for long once his boss get’s a load of his indifference. There’s not substitute for quality and that’s a fact. Aloha, Kokua
Bring the work in we do all the above and treat the small guys as good as the big guys… Now the trick is bring the Green Cash and things happen fast… Its been a while since i posted my computer is still in Washington i hope to get it as soon as summer is over and can make the drive north… Herb That gun grip you got me is the “Shit” it took a while to get the hang of it but i love it now… Paul i’m feeling cheap these days but computer shapes are one way to pay the bills… I still shape by hand everyday at least one to save my soul… Hope you all are having a good summer i sure am… If your in the area on Tuesdays head to San-o you can find me there at the point or 4-doors… Live to Surf then shape… http://surfnwsc.com
anyone know of a glasser or builder looking for some labor?? a place where i might learn some things???
Allright,Rob Brown is still kicking.As far as glass shops go this is still handwork so give em a little leeway.Like Rob said cash and maybe lunch or some cold ones help a lot.Its hard work.The fin placement thing does however speak of shoddy workmanship in my opinion. R.B.
…Rob, I’m glad you found a feel for it(the pistol grip that is).I still have the pin and original knob aside for you,just been busy this time of year as you well know.Hope to see you soon,maybe we can get some waves somewhere.Got some good ones in the past couple weeks.I usually go to lowers but I think I can hack a day of oldman’s.Herb