Removing spray paint designs from a board

Discussion in 'Surfboards and Surfboard Design' started by ZombieSurfer, Apr 23, 2014.

  1. ZombieSurfer

    ZombieSurfer Well-Known Member

    380
    Jan 9, 2014
    Figured I quick hop on the forum for suggestions rather than read through the same thing over and over again on google.

    I’m selling one of my boards to a buddy today, it’s been sitting collecting dust for a year so I figured I’d rather have some tattoo money than a board I’m not too fond of. I spray painted the board when I first got it, just doing some random patterns and it came out pretty well but he wants it back to looking like a stock board, got no qualms with him there on it.

    I was hoping for some advice in the removal of the existing paint though. I’ve painted a few boards but never had to remove it before so I want to be cautious and not damage the board in the process. I was thinking of starting off with some naptha to remove all the old wax, following up with wiping it down with acetone to remove the spray paint. Only concern is I clear coated the sh!t out of it when I applied the paint, probably has 2 or 3 coats… Hoping I didn't shoot myself in the foot with all the clear. But after wiping it down with the above chemicals I was going to wet sand with a high grit paper.

    Any tips, advice, insight, etc from the guys who deal with working with surfboards on a daily basis would be highly appreciated. Thanks guys!
     
  2. HARDCORESHARTHUFFER-RI

    HARDCORESHARTHUFFER-RI Well-Known Member

    Sep 17, 2013
    if the acetone/naptha doesnt work with a rag, 220 grit with the acetone will crush through it
     

  3. LBCrew

    LBCrew Well-Known Member

    Aug 12, 2009
    ... yep... 220 grit on a soft pad at about 2500 rpm.
     
  4. Mr.Belmar

    Mr.Belmar Well-Known Member

    Aug 19, 2010
    I would use a little acetone - but be careful as it will easly eat thru the resin. I think using a solvent like paint thinner - that's not as strong might work better - but once you are thru the clearcoat and paint- switch to a buffer and buff it out with rubbing compound - like 1600 grit rubbing compound. 3m makes some found at advanced auto near the resin- fiberglass section.
     
  5. krl0919

    krl0919 Well-Known Member

    302
    May 3, 2011
    60 grit and a belt sander. if that dosent work try an angle grinder.
     
  6. CJsurf

    CJsurf Well-Known Member

    Apr 28, 2014
    I've not tried this on a board but EZ Off Oven cleaner works for removing acrylic paint from boat hulls. Might be worth a shot.