Are you looking into customizing your skateboard deck? Instead of paying someone else to do it for you, you can paint on it yourself. There are so many questions to be answered before you start, like what kind of paint do you use on a skateboard deck Here’s everything you need to know so you can do it yourself like a pro.
1. Sandpaper
If your skateboard already has a design on it or a solid color, it can show through your artwork. To prevent this from happening, you will want to sand it off. An electric sander with coarse-grit should work just fine. After the original design is sanded off, smooth out the board with finer grain sandpaper. Try to avoid putting too much pressure on the electric sandpaper, because that can cause cuts that are difficult to smooth out. Once you are satisfied, brush off all the sawdust. Do not use a brush with abrasive bristles, as it can scratch your board. A soft brush is best. A slightly moist sponge or rag may help you remove the last remaining bits. It’s important to make sure all of the dust is removed, or it will result in bumps underneath your design.
2. Tape
Use some painters tape around the edges of your skateboard if you want to avoid any paint dripping on the sides or getting on your griptape. Press your thumb along the edges of the tape for a tight seal. If you don’t care or would like a grungier look, then you may skip this step.
3. Primer
Before you start painting, you’ll want to have a good surface so the paint can stick on properly. Skateboard decks can be so smooth that your paint will bead up or apply unevenly, or conversely, if the wood is exposed, it can cause your paint to bleed resulting in fuzzy lines. I suggest using a primer for this. A spray can ensure an even coating of primer, reducing the number of bumps underneath your artwork. You can also use fine sandpaper to smooth out any unevenness after applying 2-3 coats of primer. Allow for the primer to fully dry before sanding. Brush off the dust with a soft brush, and then use a slightly moistened rag or sponge to remove the rest. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area or outdoors for the duration of this project. The fumes of spray paint and other materials can be toxic.
4. What Kind of Paint Do You Use On a Skateboard Deck? : Proper Paint
You don’t want to use just any paint if you’re going to customize your board. It’s important to make sure your work stays on for as long as possible since your skateboard will be exposed to all kinds of weather, temperature, and other elements. The best paint to use on a skateboard is spray paint, but if you’re not super confident with a can, you can also use acrylic paint. These paints have the best durability. Some pros of using spray paint are that it can be easier to create gradients and cool effects on your deck, but the cons are if you are not experienced with it, it is difficult to paint details. The pros of acrylic paint are that it’s easier to control the paint, but it can be more difficult to blend colors together. It also takes more acrylic paint to cover a surface than it takes spray paint. You can also use both spray paint and acrylic paint if you’d like. By using both, you can enjoy the benefits of spray paint on large areas of your design and the ease of creating gradients, and with acrylic, you can still have control over the smaller details. It’s all up to you! After you’ve finished your design, you may want to use fine sandpaper to smooth out any bumps to make the paint appear more uniform. Brush off the dust with a soft brush and use a slightly moist rag to carefully pick up the remaining dust. I suggest you do this in a dabbing motion rather than wiping so that you don’t accidentally reactivate the paint and create smudges.
5. Seal Your Design In
If you would like to protect your design, you can use sealer spray paint. Apply 2-3 coats of it to ensure your work is completely protected, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next coat. This will prevent damage to your work from general use and will prolong the life of the paint.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to paint your skateboard deck like a pro, it’s time to get your materials and tools together. Once you’re finished, you can show off your deck to your skate friends, and brag about how you did it yourself. They will be totally shocked at your handiwork, and may even request you to help them with their own projects.
Written by Rheann Tracy