How to Color Match for Surfboard Repair
Color matching can be a frustrating assignment for any surface, and surfboards are certainly no exception. Surfboards are usually painted with glossy, acrylic paints. Like many other paints, they can appear to be tinted differently depending on the type of light it is in. Inside a house or shop, the colors often appear to be a perfect match--but under the glow of direct sunlight, a discernible contrast may be visible. It is crucial to scrutinize colors under the correct lighting to achieve an exact match. Because of the naturally high gloss of acrylic paint, it can be nearly impossible to match the color perfectly. For this reason, it is usually a better idea either to have the board professionally repaired or to just repaint the board entirely. However, if there are no other options, you can attempt the task yourself.
Instructions
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Thoroughly wash the board with soap and water. Any dirt or grease on the paint surface will make it virtually impossible to find a perfect match in color.
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Obtain several chips of paint from a regular paint store that are similar to the color of your board. The more you choose, the better chance you have of locating an exact match. For now, you are only concerned with the color itself.
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Inside your house, hold the chips up to the board under indirect sunlight. Do not stand in an area where sun rays are shining directly onto your board, and do not use electric lighting. Examine the chips carefully, and choose the one that most closely matches the board's color. The best results are obtained when a color just slightly darker than the original is selected.
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Return to the paint store and have someone there mix a quart of paint that is custom-tinted to the chosen chip. Purchase a quart of white paint while you are there.
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Paint a small section of the board with the new paint. Allow it to dry, as wet paint usually appears lighter in color. It should dry slightly darker (but of a similar tint) than the existing color on the board. If it dries lighter or does not match, return to the paint store and start over.
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Pour a small amount of the paint into several plastic cups. Add varying small amounts of white paint to the samples, and begin testing it out on the board. Remember to let each sample dry before examining it under indirect sunlight. After a little luck and a good deal of trial and error, you will hopefully come up with the exact match to your board.
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Bring the mixed sample to a store that custom produces acrylic paint for surfboards, and have someone there produce enough of that exact color to finish your board.
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References
- Photo Credit surfboard image by Stefan Häuselmann from Fotolia.com
