With a paint pen, you’ll be able to make countless designs. Small designs could be filled in with a broad tipped paint pen. Bigger designs, like the circles we outlined in dry erase pen need to be filled in with acrylic paint. I wanted three distinct colors that ranged from blue to aqua to greenish yellow so we used three paint colors and a medium brush. As we traced circles around the objects we used as templates, we filled them in as shown.
How to spray paint a surfboard
Last month I bought a new JS Industries surfboard: a 6’11’’ Raging Bull. Happens that I really don’t like white surfboards and spray-painted it. I had so much fun that decided to make a video of the process on another board. Just in case someone wants to do a makeover to their surfboards.
Also, it was a perfect excuse to add another small waves surfboard to my quiver. So, just for the video – said I to myself and others – I bought a really cheap and really old second-hand surfboard: a Neck Beard 1st edition from Al Merrick.
Now, I have 2 amazing customized surfboards on my quiver 😉
The process is quite simple, but my lack of ability to handcrafts is far well-known :D, so I repeated all the steps a few times. But, as in surf, the most important thing is to have fun. And I did, a lot. Not only painting the surfboards but also making the video. Hope you like it too 🙂
You can watch all the processes on the above video, or read it bellow.
Start by cleaning your surfboard and ensure it doesn’t have any residues of wax or glue. Using WD40 or similar can help to dissolve the glue, making it easy to remove.
When your board it’s completely clean, finish it with an alcool solution and a dry pano. Let the board dry before starting to paint.
Painting your surfboard: Start to design your layout (pencil and sheet or on your computer). This is important as it will allow you to plan the painting process and avoid errors.
Products to use
• Spray paint (in this case, Montana Black 400 – I bought mine at CrackKids)
Shake can well for at least one minute and remember to use a mask if painting indoors Start painting holding the can as vertically as possible Remember to apply thin layers rather than a single thick one If using several colors, tape off the areas to be painted and let the paint dry (15 to 30 minutes) between layers
Once you’re happy with the layout, let the paint dry but ensure that you start varnishing your surfboard before 60 minutes pass since the final painting (or you will have to wait for 6 days to go surf with it. )
Shake the varnish can really well, as a bad mixture can lead to a nonuniform finish.
As for spray paint, apply thin layers rather than a single thick one and make sure to cover the whole board.
Let the varnish dry for 15 minutes between layers. 2 layers of varnish are more than enough to protect your customized surfboard and artwork.
When finished, let it dry for 24 hours and you’re ready to surf 😉
Step 1: Materials
- Acetone (to prepare surface),
- sandpaper 320 grit,
- 1 dry erase (whiteboard) marker
- Paint pen assortment (minimum of black)
- Acrylic paints in colors desired
- Several sized brushes
- Mixing tray in case colors need to be blended
- 1 can clear coat spray, preferably UV resistant. Gloss for a glossy board. Matte or satin finish for non-glossy boards
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Step 2: Rough Sketch
Now’s the time to use your whiteboard marker to sketch out some designs you might like. Hopefully, you’ll already have been doodling or collecting images of other people’s designs you like. I’ve included a few geometric design sketches that can be made using a straight edge or common household objects as templates. There are many things all around your home you can use. Since I wanted circles going from large to small, I began with a large plate, small plate, cereal bowl, cup, and small can. Bigger circles? Use a lid from a 3-gallon plastic bucket. Squares and rectangles are everywhere like boxes. You can choose to have them overlap or not. Remember, the more the shapes overlap, the more spaces will need to be painted. Too many and the design may appear “too busy” to you and not very impactful from afar. Fewer, larger shapes might look great from afar, but a bit simple up close. You’re the judge and since it’s your surfboard, the choice falls on you. Remember, no matter what you do, it will probably end up looking great.
Starting with a dry erase marker will help you put some rough sketches on your board to make sure you like what you see. I wanted a combination of circles and wavy lines but wasn’t sure what that would actually look like. In the end, I opted for more circles and no waves but it took actually seeing the shapes on the board to decide.
One thing to make sure of before you begin using a dry erase marker on a board is that the board’s surface is glossy, like a whiteboard. Some boards, especially epoxy, use a dull non-glossy finish. Dry erase markers will stick to this surface so this step won’t be possible. Better to use a thin, light pencil for the lines.
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Step 3: Surface Prep
So you’ve come up with your planned pattern. Snap a photo of your board with the dry erase pattern on it to refer to later. It’s time to erase it all and get the boar prepped.
The key to any paint project is making sure the paint sticks properly. That means preparing the surface. Before you get started, you’ll need to strip the oils, wax, and dirt off. Acetone, mostly available as nail polish remover, is an excellent solvent recommended by many. Don’t use nail polish removers with added moisturizers or anything fancy added that will prevent a good stripping of the surface. Got it? Great. Now moisten a rag or paper towel and start rubbing starting from one end to the other making sure you have some good ventilation from the fumes.
Once finished, many recommend a light sanding for glossy surfaces to help the acrylic paint stick better. Remember to wipe the dust off with a clean dry rag before you go on. A 32 or higher grit is best. You’re not trying to sand down rough spots here, only to make a very fine rough surface for the paint to better adhere to. You don’t need to get crazy trying to hit each area evenly. If a bit of shine still shows, your paint will still likely stick with no problem. Some people don’t even sand. Most experts do.
Using the dry erase marker again, this time for keeps, trace the edge of your objects that you chose for their shapes. You can add straight edges, wavy lines, etc. To avoid painting over logos or over pinstripes and panels with borders, use painter’s tape. Remember, this time is for real. You’ve sanded the surface and the whiteboard marker won’t easily come off. Hopefully, you’ll take your time, get it the way you like, and have no need for any “oh no!” moments.
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