Anyone try vinyl wrapping a wakeboard?

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

What's up everyone, new to the board, not new to wakeboarding. Been riding for like 14 years, just getting back into the swing now that my kids are old enough to go on the boat. I recently picked up a new Ronix Vault and was thinking about giving my old Obrien Swindle to my wife. The Orange color scheme doesn't thrill her, so I decided to try covering the top of the board with some outdoor vinyl. should be coming in a few days. I have seen this done on snow boards and thought I would give it a try. got to fix a few dents and strip off the old stickers, I bought more material than I needed figuring there would be some trial and error on the first attempt.

HHI Dave · Posted: Jul 20, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

Post pics. Cool

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

Will do, plan on keeping the artwork gender friendly as I plan on still riding this board from time to time. Thinking about a Hawaii theme, we both love the islands.

A Black deck with my Black and Orange Plush Pro boots and white theme decals would look pretty nice, and most likely I will be getting my wife her own set of boots for when she wants to ride the board.

JoLo_Si · Criminal Joined: 24 May 2011 Posts: 87 City: Orlando

Definately post pics and let us know how it turns out.

I've been thinking about doing the same thing with my old CWB that I use at the cable because the white deck has turned almost yellow. I tried using On-Off hull cleaner but not even that would change to color back.

Tracktor · Posted: Jul 26, 2011 9:34 am Post subject:

My MX graphics guy does wakeboard/snowboard wraps. Look sweet and work really well-

www.jjwdesigns.com

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

Fixed 2 spots on the board with epoxy the last few nights. Trimmed that and sanded them smooth. Removed all the old stickers and glue. Scuffed the deck up a little with some degreaser and a scotch brite pad and then rinsed it real good. Tomorrow night I should be making the wrap attempt. Stay tuned.

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

Well, last night I made the attempt at wrapping the board with the vinyl I bought. Overall impressions:

- Surface prep was important, I ended up using some 400 grit wet sandpaper and lightly scuffing the surfaces.
- Deciding how to get the wrap started was a little difficult, I peeled back about 1/3 of the entire piece and placed that down and continued.
- If I were to do it again, I would choose a little thicker vinyl as in some places it creased easily and I poked through with the squeege in one place.
- Even with spraying some water on the board to help position the vinyl it was difficult because the vinyl was sticking to my table.
- I had a lot of air bubbles, even trying to squeege them out while I was laying the sheet down
- Around the edges seem pretty stick, some portions of the tip and tial have complex curves and I am most concerned about the vinyl lifting there.

I didn't add my stickers for fear that once I try this board on the water again the vinyl will lift, should find out tonight or tomorrow. Really like the flat black color though.

mseller · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 220 City: Charleston

just saying...

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

I'll post em up soon

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

soon!!

Obsessed · Criminal Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 74 City: Bahrain

I assume this would be a similar process to applying window tint. I find that to be difficult myself, but I believe they use a bit of soap in water to so it can be positioned and squeege out the bubbles easier, then it dries out in the sun and any of the tinier bubbles disappear.

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

Wrap held up to the water test this past weekend, time for more stickers. My wife's Ronix Halo boots arrive today.

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

post the end result!!

mseller · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 220 City: Charleston

nice dude! i imagine it was sorda like putting on a zagg screen protector where you spray the vinyl and the board with the "secret solution" and then squeegee out the wrinkles??

NKCrider · Posted: Aug 02, 2011 8:28 am Post subject:

"secret solution" for the screen protectors, window tint, and vinyl application is just 1/3 Dawn and 2/3 water in a spray bottle Laughing

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

pretty much, I used windex, might have been part of the issue. Just got my wife's new Ronix Halo's yesterday, I'll get some more pics this weekend with the setup.

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

Final Product

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

pretty nice! how are the edges?

JoLo_Si · Criminal Joined: 24 May 2011 Posts: 87 City: Orlando

Looks like you did a great job, I hope it stays together.

You've inspired me to do the same thing with my old CWB I use at the cable that has turned from white to yellow.

TAMELESSTGR · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 41

I was worried about the edges peeling up, she has ridden 3 times and no issues. The black gets pretty hot to the touch if left out. For less than $20 bucks I am pretty happy.