Bases and Tops

Followalong · Post by **Followalong** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:50 am

I am new to this and me and my dad are interested in building snowboard. I was wondering can I draw my graphics on the snowboard after it has been pressed and cured, after i draw my graphic on spay some sort of clear coat protectant. Do i have to put a base on or can I just draw graphics and clear coat it? If so how would it ride?

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:21 pm

You can definitely do your own artwork on the top after it's pressed, just use a material that will accept the paint well.

For the base, you do need to do a ptex base. Some folks have experimented with plain wood bases, but it doesn't sound like they had much success.

Followalong · Post by **Followalong** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:34 pm

twizzstyle wrote:You can definitely do your own artwork on the top after it's pressed, just use a material that will accept the paint well.

For the base, you do need to do a ptex base. Some folks have experimented with plain wood bases, but it doesn't sound like they had much success.

So can I do just a fiberglass top then paint it? Where can i get p-tex for cheap bulk?

deepskis · Post by **deepskis** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:53 pm

Followalong wrote:So can I do just a fiberglass top then paint it? Where can i get p-tex for cheap bulk?

Yes you can! Thats the easiest way to do graphics.

About the ptex. Where are you located?

Followalong · Post by **Followalong** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:08 pm

deepskis wrote:
Followalong wrote:So can I do just a fiberglass top then paint it? Where can i get p-tex for cheap bulk?
Yes you can! Thats the easiest way to do graphics.

About the ptex. Where are you located?

Kansas City, Missouri. What would I do graphics with? Silk Screen, Stencils...?

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:59 pm

You can do whatever you want for graphics. Spray paint, silk screen, stencils, etc. Just keep in mind whatever you do over it (a clear coat, or maybe better would be a polyurethane coating?) could chip over time... although if you're doing a snowboard, that's not as likely to be an issue as it is with skis.

The main US sources for all of the materials you need for ski/snowboard building are SkiLab.com, BlankSlateSkis.com, and SnowboardMaterials.com

If you want to buy in bulk you can go direct to the manufacturers - but if you're building your first board, you don't want to buy in bulk. Buy enough for one or two boards and see if you're going to stick with the hobby.

Followalong · Post by **Followalong** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:49 pm

twizzstyle wrote:You can do whatever you want for graphics. Spray paint, silk screen, stencils, etc. Just keep in mind whatever you do over it (a clear coat, or maybe better would be a polyurethane coating?) could chip over time... although if you're doing a snowboard, that's not as likely to be an issue as it is with skis.

The main US sources for all of the materials you need for ski/snowboard building are SkiLab, BlankSlateSkis, and SnowboardMaterials

If you want to buy in bulk you can go direct to the manufacturers - but if you're building your first board, you don't want to buy in bulk. Buy enough for one or two boards and see if you're going to stick with the hobby.

How would I get graphics on bottom if there is a base? Also do I have to put sidewalls on my snowboard. If I dont what will happen?

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 4:13 pm

If you don't do sidewalls your snowboard will explode (that's a joke)

You need to do a lot more reading and research. Everything you'd ever need to know is on this forum.

Followalong · Post by **Followalong** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 4:16 pm

twizzstyle wrote:If you don't do sidewalls your snowboard will explode (that's a joke)

You need to do a lot more reading and research. Everything you'd ever need to know is on this forum.

Well how big are sidewalls suppose to be ?

vinman · Post by **vinman** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 5:08 pm

I generally make my sidewalls 13mm and about 10mm of that actually stays in the ski. The rest is cut off in post-press work.

Followalong · Post by **Followalong** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 6:49 pm

Vinman wrote:I generally make my sidewalls 13mm and about 10mm of that actually stays in the ski. The rest is cut off in post-press work.

13mm tall or wide?

chrismp · Post by **chrismp** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:59 pm

wide. and now start reading the forum posts (every single one! best to start with the journals section) and start using the search function...all the questions you've asked have been answered before at least a couple times!

petemorgan(pmoskico) · Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:53 pm

You can use clear base material and decorate underneath. I have put fabric underneath as well as had someone with more artistic talent do some sharpee tie die. The sharpee bled and produced some cool tie die. I was nervous to try other paint because I wasn't sure if some paints would have negative effects on bonding.

amidnightproject · Post by **amidnightproject** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 5:58 am

I have some badass green base I am willing to sell.

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