How to Match Surfboard Colors

Spray down the board with water from a hose to rinse off any loose dirt or debris. Wash it with warm water and mild detergent to further eliminate grime from surfing that can affect the board's natural coloring.

Dry the board thoroughly with a rag. Once the board is washed and dried, you will accurately see the colors on the board that need to be matched.

Remove the wax on your board by sitting the board in the sun for 30 minutes and then applying a hair dryer to it.This heats the wax so it can be quickly scraped off with a plastic edge like that on a credit card. Use a wax-remover solvent and a rag to eliminate the rest of the wax left over after scraping and then rinse the board again. Apply acetone to the board and rinse again to remove any remaining residue, so the board is completely clean, and the paint is visible without any obstructions.

Compare the color of the board with a paint color chart. You can get a chart from any local paint or hardware store. Get a can of paint for the board in the color just slightly darker than the one on the board. Buy a can of white paint as well to help lighten the color as needed. Verify the paint can be utilized on surfboards. Many boards utilize spray-painted designs.

Apply the new paint to a piece of wood to see how it looks when it dries. Compare the results to your surfboard after a few hours.

Mix the new color with a slight amount of white paint in a cup if you need to lighten it and retest the mix on the test board. Continue this until you find an appropriate match to your surfboard.

Apply a small amount of the paint to an indiscreet area of the surfboard and see if it matches once it dries. Modify the paint as necessary until you have the exact match.