Is it possible to improve the appearance of your snowboard by applying the right paint? Remember that snowboards are boards with unique characteristics, and not all paints are appropriate for their restoration. Before taking a wrong step, it is better to take into account certain aspects.
Snowboards are stiff and have no pores, so the first thing to do is sand the board to remove the old paint. After choosing the right stain and sealer, we will apply them to the board to give it a fresh look. To avoid unattractive results, you should do some research on paint application.
Snowboards that are used frequently will suffer from wear and tear. Also, snowboard paint can deteriorate due to salt, dirt, or other elements found in the snow. Additionally, cracks and scratches allow unwanted elements to seep into the equipment. For these reasons, repainting your snowboard is an inexpensive way to give it a new look and help it last a few more years.
Can You Paint Your Snowboard?
Of course, you can paint your snowboard. If you are a competitive athlete, likely, your snowboard is not in the best condition after several seasons.
Painting or repainting your snowboard is quite common among snowboarders. If the paint is going to be applied by a beginner, it is better to do it with the advice of someone with more experience. Getting a good finish requires some technique to avoid wasting time and money.
Aspects To Consider Before Painting Your Snowboard
Painting a snowboard requires a few things to be done before you get to the point of applying the paint. Take a look at some of these aspects.
Check The Shape Of The Snowboard
Before you do anything, first look at what the shape of your snowboard is. A board that is convex or concave will always be more complicated to paint than a flat board. For these snowboards with curvatures, it is better to give the painting process to a professional in the area.
If our snowboard is flat, we also have to make sure that its surface is smooth. If you decide to risk painting a snowboard that is not flat, you should know that there is a high chance that the paint will not be even. An irregular painting can result in an unsightly and very short-lived finish.
Preparing The Snowboard
First, remove the bindings from the board. Clean the whole surface of the board with alcohol to remove any dirt that may be on it. When the board is clean and dry, you can start sanding the snowboard to remove the old paint using fine-grit sandpaper.
The important thing is that after sanding, the surface should be a little rough. This rough surface will help the new paint to adhere more quickly and deeply.
About The Paint
Paint is what will give your snowboard the look of new equipment. Professionals in this area recommend using acrylic spray paint, which allows you to cover the entire surface you sanded evenly.
If there are parts that you do not want to paint, such as edges, you can cover them with special tape for this purpose. You should apply two or three coats of paint to give the snowboard a glossy and durable finish. It is essential to wait for the applied coat of paint to dry completely before applying the next coat.
About The Finish
After the coats of paint are applied, seal the snowboard with a water-resistant polyurethane varnish. You should not over-apply it because it will build up and cause staining. Although this would not be a problem in the performance of the snowboard, it would be aesthetically.
What Will I Need To Paint My Snowboard?
Paint will not be the only input or tool you will need. You will find the essentials you should have before you start painting your snowboard in the following list.
- Solvent to remove decals
- Wool rags
- Razor blades
- Sandpaper between 180 and 220 grit
- Acetone
- Acrylic spray paint
- Cardboard
- Clear acrylic coating
- Adhesive or electrician’s tape
How To Paint A Snowboard? Step By Step
Putting design decals on a snowboard can indeed help change its image. But there is nothing more durable, aesthetic, and impactful than repainting it. Let’s see step by step how to paint a snowboard.
Step #1
We must remove all the decals that the snowboard has with the solvent and a razor blade. After that, we must clean the surface with a wool cloth.
Step #2
Then we will pass a piece of sandpaper over the surface of the snowboard. We should keep rubbing until the board feels rough when we run our hand over its surface.
Step #3
We wet the wool rag with acetone and wipe the entire snowboard with this wet rag. After doing this, we have to wait several minutes until it dries.
Step #4
We have to turn the snowboard upside down. With the masking tape, we have to cover all the edges of the board. This tape will prevent paint from getting on the board in places we don’t want to paint.
Step #5
You should apply the spray paint at a distance of 15 centimeters from the snowboard. Spray the paint along the entire surface of the board. Move the spray from side to side steadily so that the color is evenly applied. Ideally, apply 2 to 3 coats of paint, allowing the paint to dry between coats.
Step #6
You can use adhesive tape to cover parts of the snowboard and then apply the paint. This action will allow you to make unique designs; you can use cardboard to cover large spaces.
Step #7
Let the snowboard dry for 24 hours. Then remove the masking tape. Do it very carefully and slowly, because if you do it fast, you can damage the paint and design.
Step #8
Use the acrylic coating spray at a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters from the snowboard. Apply it all over the surface of the board with even strokes. After using the acrylic coating, you must let the snowboard dry for 24 to 48 hours before you can use it.
Can You Repaint The Bottom Of A Snowboard?
The bottom surface of the snowboard is one of the essential parts of the whole board. This bottom is what separates our body from the ground and a big crash down the mountain.
The bottom of the snowboard contains a low friction polyurethane material called P-Tex. This P-Tex has a coating of slippery wax. Although P-Tex is a reasonably durable material, it will not keep the snowboard from getting dings and dents over time and use.
Painting the bottom of the snowboard may be possible. But first, you should repair the bottom of the board and fill any holes or cracks that have appeared due to wear and tear.
In these repairs, the most important thing is to replace lost P-Tex layers. You can find this material as a kind of candle that melts in the snowboard holes or cracks. The purpose of putting P-Tex is to make the bottom of the snowboard more durable and slidable. After these repairs are ready, we can think about applying paint.
A Final Look At Painting Our Snowboard
With the passage of time and the snowboard’s continuous use, we can observe evident signs of wear or damage. It is inevitable to find on our snowboard roughness, cracks, nicks, and fallen paint.
Regularly checking the condition of our snowboard is an exercise of commitment to the practice of this sport. Repainting the board is also another sign of how passionate we are about snowboarding. The paint will not only restore the lost beauty of your snowboard but is also a responsible way to extend the life of such an essential outdoor companion.
Sources:
https://www.instructables.com/Custom-Paint-Your-Old-Snowboard https://hezekiahsbrain.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/spray-painting-a-snowboard-a-series-of-mistakes
