Surfboard Laminating Step-by-Step Instruction and Preparation Checklist
"Traditional" Surfboard Laminating Process Checklist*
Materials:
❏Fiberglass
❏Resin
❏Additives (Additive F / MEKP / Surfacing Wax / Styrene)
❏Pigments or Tints
❏Clean Mixing Bucket / Cup
❏Clean Mixing Stick
❏Gloves
❏Clean Resin Spreader / Squeegee
❏Tape
❏Scissors
❏Razor Blade (if Cut Lapping)
❏Plastic or Wax Paper to Place Wet Resin Tools On
❏Logos Cut Out and Ready
❏Sanding Block and Sandpaper
Free Lap Process:
1. Roll out fiberglass on bottom of board
2. Cut 2” from nose and tail
3. Flatten glass on board for no wrinkles
4. Cut glass outline ( ~1 1/2”+ lower than the rail)
5. Relief cut nose and tail
6. Pull off any loose fibers from fiberglass
7. Roll or fold glass up to place logo on foam
8. Mix resin, additives, and color if any
9. Laminate logo and roll glass back down
10. Laminate bottom
11. Check for dry spots
12. Scrape loose glass strands off deck and let them hang
13. Line up short glass strands along lap line
14. Check for air bubbles or dry spots
15. Let cure
16. Sand lap line flush or push down into foam
Deck Lamination: Same as above but 2 layers of fiberglass and:
● Cut first layer 1” short of nose and tail end and to midpoint of
rail
● Place logo between bottom and top layers of glass
Cut Lap Process:
1. Scribe cut lap line on deck
2. Tape off cut lap line
3. Flip board to bottom
4. Roll out fiberglass on bottom of board
5. Cut 2” from nose and tail
6. Flatten glass on board for no wrinkles
7. Cut glass outline (make sure it extends over tape on deck)
8. Relief cut nose and tail
9. Pull off any loose fibers from fiberglass
10. Roll or fold glass up to place logo on foam
11. Mix resin, additives, and color if any
12. Laminate logo and roll glass back down
13. Laminate bottom
14. Check for air bubbles or dry spots
15. Let cure for ½ hour+, check resin firmness to cut
16. Remove board from racks and cover rack stand pads
with wax paper (wear gloves)
17. Place board deck side up on glassing stands
18. Cut lap along tape with razor and peel off deck
19. When cured, push lap line down into foam or sand flush
Deck Lamination: Same as above but 2 layers of fiberglass and:
● Cut first layer 1” short of nose and tail end and to midpoint of
rail
● Place logo between bottom and top layers of glass
*This is for old school surfboard laminating. Use the Greenlight Method & materials for glassing surfboards which has been developed to reduce the amount of fiberglass and resin used while providing increased strength. High gloss epoxy finishes without sanding is an added bonus!