Spray paint offers a relatively quick way to evenly cover a skateboard deck.
Custom skateboard designs can separate a skater from the crowd and eliminate the connection between corporate branding and a fun pastime. If your technical painting skills aren't up to par, there are online services that will implement your design for you. For greater control over the process, you may want to consider painting the board yourself. Since skateboards are mostly made of laminated maple, painting a skatebaord isn't that different from painting any piece of wooden furniture.
Instructions
Online Method
1. Create graphics using computer programs such as Microsoft Paint, Google SketchUp or others. The usual dimensions for a skateboard are about 7.5 to 8 inches by about 32 inches.
2. Go to custom skateboard design websites such as BoardPusher.com or Zazzle. These sites offer highly-customizable skateboard designs and the option to select from among pre-made patterns or to upload your own images to the site. Both sites offer their services for $60 to $70 with shipping. This is a relatively easy way to make a skateboard design, and the labor involved in actually creating a finished product is done for you.
3. Pay for the skateboard deck and wait for it to arrive. Online services typically require several days to manufacture the board and another several days for shipping.
Direct Method
4. Buy a blank skateboard deck. These are available in many online catalogs. You can also use a painted skateboard deck by sanding off the old paint and then repainting. If you're using an old deck, be sure to remove the trucks before trying to paint the board.
5. Sand off any paint that might remain on the board.
6. Apply several very thin layers of primer to the deck. There are spray-on primers available that will make this a fairly easy step. Make sure each layer of primer dries before you add another layer.
7. Give the primer several hours to completely dry before you begin painting.
8. Choose a technique -- spray paint, paintbrush, spatter paint, sponges, fingerpaint or a combination. Be creative. Most skateboard designs involve spray paint.
9. Apply five thin coats of spray paint to create the desired background color. Give the board several hours to dry before continuing.
10. Design and cut a stencil either by hand or on the computer.
11. Fix the stencil to the board, covering all parts of the board you don't intend to paint as you apply the stencil design. Spray paint the stencil design onto the board.
12. Apply any extra touches using paintbrushes, sponges, or anything you like.
13. Allow several hours of drying time before fastening the trucks back onto the board and skateboarding.
