surfboard painting help please

[Wootton]

hi, my famlimys life havily revolves around the sea, and my bro is in australia for his gap year, and he wants to airbrush a board when i go out at christmas,

waht i need to know is waht would be the best way to seal the work on the board after it is done? i really am not sure,gloss? matt? brushed on? sprayed on?

remember it is a large surface are, most of all the sealent needs to be strong, but slightly flexible,and not to leave bruch marks, so the final finish is smooth, and not to decolourise or anything like that in water and sun

your help would be much appreciated

paul

 

[freakinacage]

i would have thought you\'d need some sort of special varnish. something like epoxy or yacht varnish may do though. pop to a local surf store or a local shaper if you have one and ask. most of the guys would be willing to give some advice

 

[airhead]

I am assuming that you are talking a board that has already been glassed, not starting from a styrofoam blank?

I\'d think painting it with Createx and then sealing it with a good marine epoxy would do the trick. I\'d scuff the existing resin with some 120 grit first to give the clear coat somthing to bite into.

Are there any local board producers? Paint it then pay them to clear coat it. Probably a better finish in the long run.

 

[Wootton]

its all ready glossed, and i think there are loads and loads of shapers in the area, of which i know a few who would prob do it really cheap or even for no charge, thanks for advice guys

paul

 

[freakinacage]

i\'d love to see a pic of it when it\'s done if it\'s no trouble. good luck!

 

[Wootton]

yeh i will get pics, but unfortunately that wont be till new year, beause i am going down under over xmas.

 

[freakinacage]

lol that sounds like a euphemism if ever i heard one!! no worries about the time frame, it would be nice to see how it pans out!

 

[jahminis]

@wooten...
i\'ve been a surfer my whole life, and have gone through a lot of different approaches to doin\' custom graphics on boards(both before and after they have been glassed)...the airbrush would work, and acrylic dries waterproof, but not scuffproof...
the best thing that i have come up with on boards that have already been glassed is to use graffitti art markers...they dry permanent, have vivid colours, are a cheap investment, and easy to cart around...with a bit of practice, and creative thought it is possible to get nice fades and transitions, but obviously not quite as smooth as with an airbrush...
if your bro already has all the airbrush gear, give it a go, and just spray it with a varnish after to see how it holds up...i would suggest tryin\' it out on the topside, up by the nose, where the design won\'t be covered by wax...
if he needs to buy gear first, i definitely suggest that he goes for the markers...they don\'t need to be treated after...

cheers
jah