Sanded vs. Gloss finish Surfboard whats the Difference?

[sillylilly]

I am getting a custom longboard and trying to decide what finish to get. This is what I know.

Sanded -
Faster
Harder to clean (I guess that means harder to wipe off the sand?)
More porous overtime (but some people say this is not true, is this a myth?)
If it is more porous what is the longevity of a sanded surfboard if I surf only weekends?

Semi-gloss - ?

Gloss - extra seal, longer lasting, slower, easy to clean, really shiny

I just want some thoughts on what others prefer and why. Thanks!

[oldmansurfer]

I have never heard of the sanded option for surfboards but that is what I would pick because I would sand my board anyway. A polished surface looks nice and that is what most boards have. If you lightly sand the surface with 600 grade wet sandpaper you will notice that water forms a film on the board instead of beading up. What this means is that when you are in the water it will hold a layer of water over the surface of the board. Then when gliding across a wave the friction is reduced because it is water on water instead of water on the surface of the board. This results in the board going faster. you only need to bottom of the board sanded though, no reason to do the whole board. I think this is what you are talking about....maybe? I am not sure, do you have a link to somewhere selling boards like that?

[sillylilly]

It's my first custom surfboard so I have the option to get a sanded or gloss finish.

Just trying to figure out if I really do need a gloss finish to keep the board longer lasting? And if I would feel any difference in the speed of the board with the gloss coat?

Thanks!

[oldmansurfer]

I am not sure about exactly what that means I haven't ever heard of a board being sold sanded. It sounds like they are maybe going to leave out the finish coat. I think the finish coat isn't really necessary and won't appreciably affect your board but if you are going to rarely surf then I would get it because it may over a longer duration. As far as most surfers I don't think it matters.

[kitesurfer]

Looks and weight are the difference. A glossed board has an extra resin coat on it that is polished to a high level making the board look great. It will be heavier though. Performance wise an 800 grit sanded finish is as far one needs to go in terms of skin friction drag. Any further the gains are only cosmetic, which is why boards with a gloss coat are sanded to a 1000 grit. Having an extra gloss coat gives a little more durability but not much. Also a normal sanded finish can be polished too. Just not to quite the same finish as a glossed board.

KS

[kitesurfer]

Note. All boards have a hot coat or sanding coat applied so that the board can be finished sanded. A gloss coat is applied after the hot coat has been sanded back.

KS

[kitesurfer]

You should ask your shaper if he intends to apply a gloss coat or if he just intends to polish the hot coat.
KS

[sillylilly]

Awesome, thanks for the info!!

[oldmansurfer]

Now this is from polyurethane resin but likely epoxy is the same. When you do the laminating coat you want it to be flexible so you do a colder mix of resin. The result is a slightly sticky resin that soaks into the glass leaving a rough fabric appearing surface, plus there are edges of the fiberglass that stick up so a sanding coat is used to smooth it out and to provide a hard surface that can be sanded easily. This is a hot coat that also partially cures the underlying cold pour but mostly it is so you can sand it smooth without it gumming up the sander. The gloss coat is a third type of resin used to make a glossy finish. It is applied very thinly but may add some weight to the board. Weight however isn't necessarily a bad thing and the small amount won't make too much difference to a beginner. Still I don't think it adds much durability to the board

[sillylilly]

Thanks! I've decided to go with sanded. The extra gloss sounds more like an aesthetic add-on and sounds like its not really necessary.