artwork on surfboard, thoughts?

[surfernoob]

now im starting to pickup on some things on surfing, im looking at the board more of as a personal object and thinking about its aesthetics. I realized my board lacks personality in looks and says nothing about me! i've always been a real visual person and into graphics and things. as kids we used to always paint things on our blank skateboard decks. i looked around online and saw this awesome work on a board.



the hendrix art was completely inspiring and now i really wanna put something on my board. the guy did it in a couple of hours with a posca pen. my girlfriends an artist and i asked her if she's interested in doing some artwork on my board. but, of course, before doing so...i need some expert advice on the technical details of putting art on a board. i've read up on some things online but just need to know some more things. feel free to answer as many questions as you like.


-what kind of paint can i use or not use on a board?
-what can i use for a finishing that is practical?
-won't the finishing not feel the same as the original gloss finish?
-should i get this professionally done, if so can anyone refer me to a person in southern california?
-is it a bad idea to put the artwork on the bottom cause the finishing won't be as smooth as a professional job, hence negatively affecting the performance of the board?
-is it recommended to try this on a beater board first? or is a big mess on a good board irreversible?

i'm sure i'll have many more questions with peoples feedbacks and the more i look into it. anything would help. thanks in advance.

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

i think professional is the best way to go. (talk to a shaper)

adding on another layer of finish will just make it heavy.

[kitesurfer]

There many different types of paint you can use and they add virtually no weight to the board.
Types of spray cans that can be used has been covered in this forum before but i cannot remember which thread or which spray paints so have search. But most types of acylics will be fine. You may need to lightly sand the board first but im not 100% sure as ive not done that.
Your alternative if your a bit of an artist is to buy youraself some posca pens or something simillar http://www.drewbrophy.com/sharpie_paint_pens.htm
and free hand your design onto the board.
After which as these pens are water soluble you need to spray the board with a clear acylic laquer like krylon to water proof.
This is a method that alot of custom boards are done. For example the lost boards are done this way like this one.



Hope this helps.

KS

[drowningbitbybit]

Ive just ordered some Posca pens with a view to repairing the damage wrought by British Airways (chances of the colour match being perfect? Slim...)
I'll let you know how I get on...

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

posca pens are the ones that wipe right off if you do not put a finish on right? i think i used it before on a board. worked very nice but it chipped right off like dust.

[drowningbitbybit]

posca pens are the ones that wipe right off if you do not put a finish on right? i think i used it before on a board. worked very nice but it chipped right off like dust.

Not used them yet. The website description has them as being 'suitable for surfboard art', and waterproof. But I cant imagine them staying put unless a layer of lacquer is put on afterwards

[Johnny B]

Posca pens are what graff artists use (British ones anyway) and can be used to amzing effect in the right hands. They're pretty weatherproof actually, but aye, they can chip off depending on the surface they're on.

I'd be careful before diving straight in with 'em though DBBB, they're not that easy to use initially, especially the fat ones, I suggest some practice first. That's probably stating the obvious. Sorry.

Ooh, just noticed that you can actually get pens like the Posca ones designed for surfboards, i'm guessing they're just a copy aimed at a different market (scumbags) but you never know, they could be less prone to chipping or summat.

http://www.drewbrophy.com/sharpie_paint_pens.htm

...J...

[Bub]

That Hendrix board is awesome! I know alot of folks think simpler/less color is better, but I prefer artwork/designs/more color myself.

Those new "all black" carbon fiber boards I've seen in the surfshops are really cool looking and unique. Solid black wesuit on a solid black board...the Johnny Cash surfer!