 News & Views by Kim Davis
The Ides of March... We salute you Julius Caesar!
I was touched this week by a very kind note from a reader named Katie, who said:
I just want to tell you that I love your newsletter. I look forward to reading it every week and I just ordered your book from Amazon - can't wait to read it!
Gee, thanks Katie! Those pats on the back mean so much!
I still don't have the photos from my trip to Mexico, so this week I found an article for the surfers among us - How to Give Your Surfboard a Custom Paint Job. I hope my good friend Tina reads this because she'll be the only other person in the world who understands why this article gives me the giggles. In fact, I'd nearly forgotten the surfboard painting incident in my own past until I met up with Tina again last year... I've spilled the beans on myself over in the blog department. And I left out the Contacts and Jobs this week because the Question and Answer section took up too much space. J.R. wrote in with an excellent question about working in volunteering and eco-tourism in Central Asia. Then there's a travel writing trip announcement down at the bottom...
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Dare to make your life fun - otherwise, what's the point of living?
- Kim ;-)
Feature
How To Give Your Surfboard A Custom Paint Job!
Here are five easy steps to turn your surfboard into surf art. Or an easy way to turn that old classic sun brunt brown board into a new cool looking stick. This is the same way the pros at lost surfboards or spyder surfboards set up for their amazing art boards.
Step 1: Materials
Make sure you get the right items for the job. Some colorful spray paint, low tack masking tape, an xacto knife, and a bottle of clear acrylic sealant. The low tack masking tape works the best, it may cost a little more, but when you are peeling it off your board it won't rip or tear. It is always best to do your art on a new surfboard that is clear of wax and grease, but if it's an old longboard or short board just take your time cleaning it up. Once all the wax is removed, use some wax remover or paint thinner to get the board as clean as possible.
Step 2: Your custom design planning
Think big!!!!! You have to think big because a small design won't show up. Try to be original and spend some time on your design. Remember this piece of surf art will be an extension of yourself on your surfboard.
Step 3: Taping and cutting your design
Tape the surfboard from rail to rail all the way across the board. Make sure to overlap the tape on top of itself about ¼" inch with each piece of tape. This will keep overspray off other areas of your surfboard. Once your design is chosen, draw it on the tape in the area of the surfboard where you think it will look the best. Then cut the design out with the xacto knife, making sure not to press too hard because you do not want to cut into the glass on your surfboard. Once you cut out the design peel off any excess tape from areas where you want the paint to go. Leave the protective tape on the outside edges of the design to keep paint off the rest of your surfboard.
Step 4: Painting
Cover up the rest of the board that you do not want over spray paint to get on with newspaper. Spray a light coat of paint over your template, you can spray over the tape. Let the colors or layers dry before moving on to the next color. Remember heavy coats of paint will only make a mess. Try to spray your board with about a foot of distance between the spray paint and the surfboard. The design will look great once the extra tape is peeled off.
Step 5: The clear coat
Once the extra tape is peeled off and the design is finished apply the clear coat. The clear coat will protect your design from being peeled off. It should take about 2 to 3 layers of clear coat. When the clear coat is dried it is time to go surfing.
So get creative and remember, if you mess up all you have to do is retape and spray a new design.
About the Author
Fred Riehl has been surfing and working with Brave New World surf shops for 18+ years!
The Tube Quest Continues at ... www.bravesurf.com
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