When to paint my board?

General Discussion
1

So this is my first surf board project and I’m quite good at art so decided to go for quite an adventurous paint job (as this will probably be the only board I make). I was planning on using water-based acryllics (or maybe spray?) and sharpie pens to hopefully make something that looks vaguely like this: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=amazing+surfboard+designs&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=8ZCJhKSOnUFA2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.thisnext.com/tag/surfboards/items/%3Fstart%3D30&docid=5ZORP3HOG2ofCM&imgurl=http://s6.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/FD245013.jpg&w=700&h=700&ei=mFjFToSDL8qo8QPgvLHmCg&zoom=1

I was just wondering when the best time to paint the board was? I’ve read on some sites that its best to do it before the glassing and others say after. Should I cover the stringer with tape so I can still see it or will it be visible anyway? And what about dimensions and little logos? When do those go on? Haha… sorry, a lot of questions.

Thanks

2

you can do it both ways…acrilic or vinilic paint on foam before glassing…

 

posca pen you do after lam…after hot coat…after sand…before gloss…

 

logos go before lam…

 

have a good time

3

I’d advise against using sharpies. From what I’ve read around the traps, they tend to run when the resin goes on. Much better to use a posca pen.

4

I would use sharpies if u paint after hot coat u get a lot better look verses on the foam I do both you can get thin rice papper and use a ink jet printer and print your logo on it and put it under cloth before lam good luck

5

Fair point. I’ve only painted before glassing to date.

6

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I might paint the orange before glassing and do the pen work on the glass? Would that work?

7

Just finished my first board,as a custom car painter I went for it before lam,paint came out sweet but because it was my first glass job, I burnt thru on the lap in a couple spots,no big deal but on my next board I’m gonna try the artwork after hot coat until I get glassing wired… Good luck and have fun,I’m having a blast !

8

Sorry, what do you mean you burnt through on the lap? What paint did you use by the way? Do you think that had an impact on it?

9

What I meant was when I sanded down the lap before I glassed to top I hit the fade job I did on the deck of the board ala the 70s! Did a light blue deck with darker fade around the rail line separated that with a blue to purple band and then did the rails and bottom dark blue! Came out sweet! But I learned this…dark colors show any little imperfection,and learning to glass a board would be easier on a white board! Learned alot and starting my 8’6" next week,while my son will paddle out on his 5’9" retro twin fin his daddy made for him! Good luck and just experiment and enjoy!

10

Oh yeah ,as for the paint I used basf onyx water base which is what I spray at the shop I work.blessed to have around 120 ,000 colors I can mix anytime I want!

11

Real simple.  Tape off the stringer first.  Tape off the blank for the orange

color.  Spray with acrylic.  Pull the tape off the stringer.  Tape off the blank

for the black.  Spray with acrylic.  If you want more of a free form look, paint

the black with a small brush.  Glass the board as if it was clear.  Done deal.

Look up on Sways how to mix your acrylic paint.  A small inexpensive gun is

the way to go for this job.  You might even be able to get good coverage on the

orange with a brush.  Any type of paint on the sanded hot coat will wear away after

a time.  If you insist on doing it on the sanded board (you said this would be your first

home-made)  Use rattle-cans & sharpies.  Spray a clear acrylic overcoat to seal.

I would suggest however, that you try out your work on any old board you might have

first.  Look for a thrashed board in yard sales, etc. as your palate.  There is no substitute

for experience!!