Polishing a surfboard : how to polish a surfboard

After you have applied the resin gloss coat to your surfboard you can begin sanding the surfboard down to a fine finish. Usually start around 600 grit and work your way up to 1200 grit. Wet sanding the rails of the board is ideal.
To polish, apply a small amount of Surfboard Polish to the surface with a paintbrush. With a polishing pad on a polisher, continue polishing process until surface is clear and dry.
Once finished with this step you can move onto the swirl remover process. go over the board until there isnt any swirls left behind from the previous polishing step.
Now it's time to run over the board with some cold water. This final steps gets any small around of product off of the finished surfboard leaving a mirror shine.
Artist: Matt Holladay
Brand : Heirloom Surfboards
All products can be found at www.FiberglassFlorida.com

[@johnwest5239]

You truly build masterpieces I would love to have hanging on the wall

[@chrisbrown8714]

Im an automotive painter, i have 1000's of hours of experience with a buffer. Your using an electric grinder as a buffer. Yes, it works, but theres no need to take chances with 5k rpm's. Try a smaller, adjustable speed machine. Maybe even an air powered buffer if you have a good compressor. If you use it a lot, your arms and back will thank you. Ever try the foam buffing and polishing pads?

[@FiberglassFlorida]

Matt has been doing this since he was a kid and has made 100's of surfboards. It is pretty risky using a fast heavy machine but this is his go to! Each shaper has their own way of doing these processes.

[@alexthomson5559]

Hi, I've just shaped my first board here in the UK - your videos have been a huge help; great explanations and tips for novice shapers like me - cheers

[@FiberglassFlorida]

Thanks for watching! Glad we could help!

[@Eddiep80]

Awesome Video Matt! I really like the Cloth inlay! Im sure you have your systems pretty dialed. And I’ve never polished a board before, but I have polished hundreds of automobiles, mostly new paint. Boats Rvs motorcycles. So I would imagine its not much different. I really like the Yellow Foam (buff-n-shine) brand pad for polishing. I feel they cut way better than a wool pad. Seem to take the scratches out better also. I don’t know if you have tried one before but if not give one a try. And ill used a black foam waffle pad for swirl removal. Also a buff-n-shine pad. Love the Videos man keep them coming. Definitely inspires me to want to shape a board!

[@larryhawes9322]

Curious about the 'compound' and 'swirl remover', can you share the brand names? Thanks and thanks for a great video. The water step was new to me...and the finished boards is GORGEOUS!!! EDIT: Found the products on Fiberglass Florida. Thanks again for the great video.

[@henryjones1897]

Is it really safe to run a buffer with leather work gloves? Seems like a good way to break your hand by getting it pulled into the pad and whipped around.

[@r.dunkley9625]

Man, I really respect the work ethic, sense of pride and workmanship that goes into making these boards but is it really worth it to put so much time into making them so incredibly smooth and shiny like you did in this video? Aren't they bound to get all scratched up from sand and stuff as soon as they're used? Being that sand gets in and on everything, doesn't the environment these boards are used in make it rather difficult to keep a board from quickly getting scratched up? Just curious to know. Notwithstanding that, your videos are great.

[@nolenvlogs2697]

R. Dunkley Seems like a bit of a silly question man. Kinda like asking why work boots are so clean when you purchase them, they are just bound to get dirty one day, right? Or why are iPhones so flawless when you take them out of the box?... they are bound to get scratched one day. How bout the finish on a brand new car? Is it really worth it to put so much time into the finish? It’s hard to believe anyone would have to ask these questions. It’s called pride, ownership, craftsmanship....it’s called a finished product, quality, tradition. Look up these words if you still don’t get it.

[@Damundo98]

Doesn't that finish make you want to love it and look after it? If you buy a board like that you would wipe it down, put fresh wax, look for cracks and imperfections as you clean it before it takes on significant amounts of water and discolours. You could always sand it back and put a coat of gloss resin on yourself and it will just about last a life time

[@guysteele204]

Aloha Matt! Just searched for a 5500-rpm polisher, but they all seem to max out at 0-600/3500. You said in the video that you use 5500-rpm polisher. Can you please give me the brand and model number? Also, is it actually a sander with a buffing bonnet? Lots of sanders go up to 5500-rpm. Lastly, are you using a 7" or 9" bonnet in this video? MAHALO for giving me some help. MUCH appreciated! Guy

[@macubeba]

I really loved this stringer! Handmade surfboards are absolutely the best! Congratulations, excellent work!

[@FiberglassFlorida]

Diego Santos Oliveira I couldn’t agree more! Matt makes some beautiful surfboards!

[@brandyhawking7908]

Hmmm... I finally followed Ann's advice and took woodglut instructions. It's great for beginners and has some advanced stuff too.

[@mavisevda]

what is the name of fluid you poured at 20:25?

[@FiberglassFlorida]

Its a polishing compound known as swirl remover. You can check it out on our website fiberglassflorida.com/presta-chroma-swirl-remover-32oz.html

[@mavisevda]

@@FiberglassFlorida thanks for fast reply

[@song23ministries]

Matt, I want to thank you for your no hype, just the facts in a very detailed professional manner in your videos. 1 question. Where does the tape line go when you gloss coat the other side. Does it meet to the edge of the first line you poured? Go slightly over it? Thank you so much. Steve

[@Charlot1914]

how did you did that central line so wide (glued?). Thanks

[@guysteele204]

Aloha Matt! Great video. I mostly do (PU/PE) surfboard repair work for my buddies. I don't build new boards. I have a cordless variable speed DeWalt polisher but it maxes out at 2500 rpm. It's okay for polishing my truck, but doesn't work well on surfboards, even after I wet-sand the dings by hand to 1200 grit. You say in the video that you're using a 5500-rpm polisher. That is what I will buy. Can you recommend a brand for me, please? MANY THANKS! KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK AND VIDEOS! Mahalo nui loa, Guy

[@waynejenkins1965]

You need a variable speed buffer.......

[@silva__surfer]

loved the video...exactly witch compound did you use on florida fiberglass??

[@christopheradams7942]

Do you wet sand by hand or machine?

[@andreaseichler2211]

Hi guys, Can you please give me a link to the compound used? Thanks Greetings from berlin

[@mikeessner7592]

I scratched my gloss coat using the metal chip brush you did! Im using foam now 🤐

[@jimjonson365]

For the final "water" step. You should use polish and a polishing pad instead. This will bring much more shine than the wool and watered down compound. Also you can use a DA polisher if your new. They dont get as hot (friction) as a rotary. Less likely to burn through.

[@wilsonguitars156]

nice work...you must know how to change a switch on that big machine!...i used to use a POWER PAD and a big Rupes polisher back in the 70s and i too had to change out the switch from keeping the speed down!!..love your work!

[@jbh123stl]

When you switch from swirl remover to water at the very end, do you also change out the bonnet for another new one? Or do you just use the same one you used for the swirl remover?

[@davidvan1037]

Did you high grit sand the board in another video? 400g-600g is a must.

[@tamaratamrot2681]

I'm sure you will find good solutions for all your ideas on the woodglut website.

[@danielracicot8783]

Wow looks great , thanks for posting , I added Fiberglass Florida to my Favorites

[@FiberglassFlorida]

your welcome! and thank you.

[@bellpaleale]

Awesome! Glad to see this as I don't think Fiberglass Hawaii posted any updates on their videos in a while.

[@FiberglassFlorida]

Thanks! Yeah they have some great videos up, but a lot of them look dated. We plan to have more videos up soon!

[@richardfeliscoso1554]

good day sir, i have a question, wat kind of epoxy should i used in Styrofoam glassing..thanks sir

[@edwardjones6723]

Stunning work🔥👏

[@dmac5678]

can you polish a sanded finish surfboard that does not have gloss resin applied?

[@ryanlowe988]

As someone who has been using grinders for 17 years Matt is 💯 on those corners. When it grabs it will so violently lol. Great work Matt some incredible boards 🤙🏼

[@matthewazpilicueta6795]

oh man, great video. Any chance I can score that retro twinnie, twin, twin fish in the background. haha

[@seanwalker5157]

I got a Milwaukee polisher twice the weight as my other ones rarely use it way too heavy... Got it cheap guess why...

[@samuelsmith5027]

Where can I find Heirloom surfboards when I'm in Florida? Love the inlay by the way! 👌

[@FiberglassFlorida]

samuel smith it is probably best to contact him through Instagram.

[@nolenvlogs2697]

Yes instagram. Hit me up.

[@TheSilverSurfisher]

Matt Holladay hey Matt, can y’all do a vid with details of the sanding steps after the hot coat to prepare for Gloss coat, and then sanding of gloss coat?? ....Especially the scary, nose, tail, and rails (eh that rhymes). Thanks for the Superb Knowledge-sharing

[@nolenvlogs2697]

TheSilverSurfisher thanks for the request silversurfisher. Short answer yes we could. I don’t know when it might happen though. I’ve entered an extra busy time for the year and I got a surgery coming up. I’ll let Fiberglass Florida know. Maybe another builder could step up to host the video. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@TheSilverSurfisher]

Matt Holladay Okay cool....none as smooth and cool as you Matt, and thanks for the quick reply....I wish you a speedy recovery on your surgery....hope to surf and talk boards with you someday soon.👌🏾

[@garyh4458]

There are better buffers to use but I guess that works.

[@victorsr6708]

Great video, excellent advise. I love the way he stops and cautions the viewer of the “danger points” I remember using a polisher in high school thinking I knew what I was doing and burning some paint on my 65 mustang fastback 😂

[@FiberglassFlorida]

haha you live and you learn right?! Matt does a good job at explaining. he's been through it all.

[@Max14163]

Eric Gorges needs to interview YOU!

[@johngrimes3117]

What wheel and nut are you using?

[@clintrunyon196]

What is your gloss process for epoxy? I can get it close but never glassy like you have here with poly. I know it’s possible. I would love to hear your thoughts. Great videos and amazing boards!

[@nolenvlogs2697]

Clint Runyon Hey Clint, I don’t work with epoxy so I don’t have an answer for you. I apologize.

[@neptunesurfwoodboard]

Awesome surfboard! 😎🤙

[@wtfftw24]

Masterpiece

[@cameronelliott5019]

Hi Clint, What is the cloth inlay and where can I get it from? From West Oz

[@FiberglassFlorida]

Make sure to check out our video on the cloth inlay! Matt goes over his process and where to find these fabrics. You can find the video in the surf board building playlist.

[@keitholiver2842]

Hi Cameron , l would think you could just go to a spotlight store as he said in another video, any old lady store will have it. l know of a guythat laid cloth in a K1 sprint kayak iut looked great.

[@riccardofacchielli3572]

nambaone!!!

[@trevelynsurfnelson193]

I watched your polish coat video. Is this polishing a polish coat or a hot coat? If so a polish coat, what grit should I safely start at sanding the polish coat, before final polish?

[@dozingdreamflock3310]

@@trevelynsurfnelson193 gloss coat or finish coat. Make sure your hotcoat is flat, even and clean. Apply gloss coat hot so it kicks fast, this will give you the best result possible. Once rock hard start sanding at 400 and wet sand up to 2000 for good messure. Then follow matts polishing steps, they work great.