Hey guys, I'm a noob to kiteboarding, been kitting for about 4 months now, I love my board but hate the graphics, I'm a graphic designer, so I figure, well duh, let me fix that. I have access to a large format printer, so the printing isn't the problem and isn't the designing part, but I don't know what to do, meaning:

- How do I remove the current graphics? Do I sand it? is there a removal procedure?
- Do I just apply the new graphic on top of the current one?
- How do I seal my graphic after I print and apply to board? do I get it clear-coated but a body shop?
- Doing top and bottom of the board, any suggestions or concerns?

Trying to avoid issues with delaminating in the future.

Thanks in advance.

Ooo, I'm interested in this topic too!

The best way would be a giant sticker on the board. This wont hold forever but a season should be no problem (base could be a little trickier)

I did some graphic designing too so i could start with this sport (my first board was handmade by a guy and that got me into graphic designing for a brand now)

One of the first people who asked me to do something made big stickers over his board and i think he rode those for 2 years.
Sanding down a board probably wont work. top layer is a seetrough plate and under it is the graphic. Its not easy to get the top layer and vacuum glue the top layer on it again.

So my suggestion try a kind of plastic sticker.

Yeah I figure use a 4 mil (for vehicle wraps), and UV inks, but I just don't know if laminate or not, and/or have the board clear coated, once the graphic has been applied of course ... Clear coat i know it tends to be heavy, even a think layer of it, so I was wondering if this would affect the weight of the board, thus affecting performance.

Again thanks in advance.

I've looked into this and gone down the line of vehicle graphics. For the top deck this is the way forward. The inks print well on the vinyl, the application is easy and the wrap will stay on the deck until you want to remove it and even that is simple. I think the extra weight is minimal.

As the the base well i'm stuck here, i've yet to find something durable enough to endure the scuffs you'll get from kiting.

For what its worth i'm also a graphic designer.

Well the weight issue I was talking about is after clear coating the bottom, I have a friend that worked (did some design work for a snowboard Co.) every time one of the designers would come up with something they'd peel the old graphic, stick the new one, and clear coat it (to protect the graphic) simulates the laminating sealing they do while fabrication, but the riders were complaining of balance and weights issues, which I honestly though it was ridiculous, I mean who can tell over s few ounces, but I guess that's why these guys make the big bucks, lol, anyways I didn't want the same to happen, go ahead and customize, and be total crap, you know.

Have you done any work on boards Brian? have any pics? tips on the application? etc?

Thanks bud.

I know that this doesn't help you changing your graphics on your existing board, but cardboards in Australia allow you to submit your chosen graphic when they put together your board. I think it's an excellent service that all small board manufacturers should offer!

tnx ...

Most production boards use what's called PBT/Durasurf/UHMWPE. The graphic is printed on the inside of this plastic then vacuum sealed or pressed as a last layer to the board usually the bottom because it takes the most abuse. Top PBT/Durasurf/UHMWPE layers are also used but sometimes they can also silk screened to save weight. Heating might release the top/bottom sheets but you run the risk of weakening the rest of the board. For paint use any solvent but you also run risk of hurting the Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber lay-up underneath.

Best would be a heavy duty printed vinyl and stick it to the board.

Thanks JMF, Perfect info! tnx