Surfboard art is an excellent way to customize your hand-shaped board or add some style to an old, dingy looking surfcraft.
If you want to add some color and style to the surfboard you’re shaping, a great way to do that is with resin tints and pigments.
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Epoxy Resin Tints
Greenlight Surfboard Supply offers some high quality resin tints and pigments in a variety of colors.
These can be mixed in with your epoxy resin during the lamination or hot coat phase to add some color to the coat.
 | Resin Pigment - Ultramarine Blue | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Pure White | $22.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Carbon Black | $22.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Greenlight Surf Supply Resin Pigment - Red Tint | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Sunrise Yellow | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Fathom Blue | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Green Tint | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Algae Green | Go ☛ | |
 | Resin Pigment - Lime Green | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Bubblegum Pink | $16.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Greenlight Surf Supply Resin Pigment: 2 oz, Tropical Teal | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Graphite Gray | $21.70 ($10.85 / Ounce) | Go ☛ |
 | Greenlight Surf Supply Resin Pigment - Yellow Tin | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Resin Pigment - Tangerine Orange | $21.70 ($10.85 / Ounce) | Go ☛ |
 | Greenlight Surf Supply Resin Pigment for resin: 2 oz, - Elysian Purple | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
 | Greenlight Surf Supply Resin Pigment - Blue Tint | $21.70 | Go ☛ |
Some color choices for Greenlight’s resin tints include:
All of these resin agents are designed to add color without sacrificing strength of the epoxy’s chemical bond and cure.
Add more pigment of a more saturated color and less pigment for a more transparent appearance. Greenlight recommends to not exceed a 5% color to resin ratio.
How to Add Color to Your Surfboard’s Epoxy
If you really want to add some style to the board you’re shaping, adding color to your lamination coat is the way to go.
Choose a single color or mix a few different buckets for a resin swirl effect.
Add a few drops of pigment into your epoxy resin and mix it thoroughly before adding the hardener.
From there, lay down your lamination coat as usual.
How to Paint a Surfboard
You’ve got a few options when it comes to surfboard art depending on what stage you plan on applying it to your surfboard. For example:
- You can apply artwork and paint directly to the foam if you’re shaping your own board using water-based tempera paint.
- You can use Posca water-based paint pens or acrylic paint and masking tape to apply art to a freshly hot coated board.
- You can add resin tints and pigments when you’re glassing a surfboard to give it color.
- Or you can use spray paint to paint an old board.
What kinds of paints to use for surfboard art:
- Water-based paint pens.
- Acrylic paint
- Spray paint
- Clear-coat (to protect your art)
To apply artwork to an old surfboard:
- Clean off all the wax and wipe the board down with acetone or mineral spirits.
- Give the surface a quick sanding with some medium-fine grit sandpaper.
- Wipe down any dust.
- Sketch your artwork or lay down your tape lines.
- Apply your art. (Posca Paint pens are a great choice here).
- Give it a light clear coat to protect it. About 8 to 10 really light passes with an acrylic clear coat should do.
Now you’ve got a real groovy board.
Paint Pens for Adding Pinlines & Artwork to Your Surfboard
Another great way to add a personal touch to your surfboard is by adding pinlines.
This can be achieved with some paint pens and masking tape.
Or you can use paint pens to create some freehand artwork and designs directly onto the surfboard.
Some good choices for this inlude:
How to Add Pinlines to Your Surfboard
When using paint pens to create pinlines, adding them after the lamination coat and before the hot coat is a good way to go.
To add pinlines to your surfboard:
- Use two sets of thin masking tape to trace the path of your pin lines.
- The thinner the tape, the easier it is to create continuous curves.
- Run over the edges of the tape to make sure they are flat and sealed against the board.
- Follow your tape lines with your paint pen.
- Allow the paint to dry partially until it sets up.
- Remove the paint and allow to dry completely before starting the hot coat.
If you remove the tape and don’t like what you see, you can remove the paint pens from the board with some light sanding and try again.
How to Add a Printed Logo to Your Surfboard
If you want to add a custom logo to your surfboard, transparent rice paper is an easy way to do that.
Simply print out your logo onto rice paper, cut out around the logo and glass over it during the lamination or hot coat phase.