How to Fiberglass a Skimboard

Skimboards come in a variety of makes made of different materials. The most durable skimboards have a fiberglass coating. The fiberglass protects the skimboard from rocks on the beach and makes the board rigid and waterproof. Fiberglass also sands nicely so you can achieve a smooth finish on a skimboard, which increases its speed. Fortunately for skimboard enthusiasts wanting to fiberglass a skimboard, the application process is simple and requires no previous experience. Follow these steps and you can fiberglass a skimboard in one afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Respirator Plastic mixing bucket Wood or plastic stir stick Polyester resin Fiberglass cloth Scissors Paint brush Plastic bakers scraper 150-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Collect all materials and tools needed to fiberglass a skimboard and place them at hand where you will be working. Once the polyester resin and catalyst are mixed, you must work rapidly to apply the fiberglass and resin before it sets and begins to dry.

2. Put the respirator on. Lay the fiberglass cloth over the skimboard and cut the cloth to the size needed to cover the board. Cut the pieces of fiberglass cloth as large as possible, but don't hesitate to combine smaller pieces of cloth to cover the board. Measure and cut enough fiberglass cloth to fully cover both sides of the skimboard.

3. Pour 2 to 4 cups of polyester resin in the plastic mixing bucket. Use an amount based on the size of your project. Mix more resin if you are applying fiberglass to an entire skimboard. Mix less resin if you are applying fiberglass to a smaller area such as for repairs. Add the catalyst to the resin. Mix according to the directions on product package as products vary.

4. Pour a small pool of resin on the skimboard and use the paint brush to spread the resin. Spread a generous amount of resin to cover an area on the skimboard at least as large as the fingerglass pieces of fiberglass cloth used. If you are using a single piece of fiberglass cloth to cover the entire skimboard, spread a thin layer of resin across the entire skimboard.

5. Place the fiberglass cloth in place on top of the wet resin immediately after spreading the resin. Use the paint brush to saturate the fiberglass cloth so it turns clear and the resin soaks through. Spread only as much resin as necessary to saturate the fiberglass cloth and cover it so that you cannot see the grain of the weave in the fiberglass. Remove excess resin with the plastic bakery scraper. Wipe the edges of the skimboard with the scraper to remove drips. Allow to dry. Repeat this step to fiberglass the other side.

Tips & Warnings

• Always work in a well ventilated area.

• Don't mix too much catalyst in the resin to prevent resin from setting too quickly, before you apply the fiberglass on the skimboard.