Grain Update - Bottom is Glassed

Today was a grind. We had to get everything cleaned up from the lap so that the bottom could be glassed.

Lots of scrapping, sanding...

and cleaning.

Next was setting up the laminates. It was a little tricky but Kipp knew what he was doing so they went on great. 

This time I didn't feel as nervous but you can see in my eyes I'm getting psyched up.

We didn't have a shooter there with us for the resin work so all images are in my brain. It went really good. The resin set off really quick though which was a challenge. Other then that it looks really good.

The TLP logo looks cool.

This time around cutting the lap went much quicker and without mistakes.

Live and learn.

Tomorrow we do the hot coat.

It is almost done!!! More to do but having it glassed feels like a huge accomplishment.

The next time you pick up your board give a silent thank you to the glasser who did your board. I have no idea how they make any money doing this. It takes a lot of skill and a lot of time to glass a board. They have earned my respect.

Grain Update - Deck is Glassed

Monday was the day we got everything ready to glass. Kipp, Erik and I sanded, taped and prepped everything and cut the glass to size.

If you ever want to get anything done, invite Erik over to watch. Erik can't stand to be on the sidelines. He is also good at everything.

He took over and went to work.

Sanding.

Masking.

More masking.

I put the camera down and helped out.

It took a bit but it was ready for glass.

Kipp showed me how to trim the glass.

He did the tail himself as it was a bit tricky.

I love how the glass glows.

It looked like a spaceship.

Today was the moment of truth. Time to glass the deck.

I was excited until It was time to drop the catalyst.

Then I got nervous. I'm calling out, "Wait I'm not ready!"

Game on. Kipp didn't listen and he set it off.

We have less then 10 minutes.

It really is a rush. You get into the moment and completely get absorbed in it.

Yet again Kipp was a huge help. David was there as well to document it.

Time to clean up. Kipp is really good about reusing everything. He cleans everything and never throws anything away unless it is completely trashed.

Resincicle.

Oh my. She is beautiful.

Time to cut the the lap and pull the masking.

This was a bit harder then I thought and made a few mistakes.

All and all it was a blast.

Tomorrow we glass the bottom.

Great Deal on Hal Jepson Classic Surf Films

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Sacred Craft Day 2 Highlights

Shawd from Rainbow Fins has been making some amazing one off fins. I went back a few times to the booth to drool over them.

More Grain. Did I tell you that my board is almost done?

Our buddy Mick Waters is now collaborating with Grain. His first assignment was to film a board coming to Rasta for him to test out. The board is a Waka 5'4" for a charity called Stoked Mentoring. They are raffling it off for $10 online. More on that later. 

Bruce Jones was there throwing boards on the ground all day long. It was hard to watch at first. You get so used to your board being so fragile.

Gary Hanel and his team rider Miss Anne. 

Erik spent some time in the Moonlight booth chatting about boards. Petter made a finless Thumb Board that Erik will get to ride.

Love the Sticky Bumps wax art. Erik has been playing with the colored wax for months now. It was really cool to see the  kids get so into it.

Anne bought this beanie. It says Surfing Sucks. Don't try it, you'll hate it.

Jamie, Tak, Anne and Kirk. Prom Photo.

Cyrus Sutton, was in the booth showing off how to make one of his hand plains. I met him the day before. He's a super cool and humble guy.

Karl Eckstrom's model. I got to chat with him for a while. Just a really down to earth guy who is just as stoked now as he was when he was a kid.

MR was such a nice guy. He signed posters and took photos the whole weekend. I had him sign it to the Leucadia Project.

Brewer judging the boards. The judging took a bit and had to be hard. You had 5 of some of the best shapers in the world. They had to measure everything and fight to find flaws.

Dennis watching as the judging was going on.

Dennis had every one sign the template. John Peck took notice and checked it out.

Dennis was funny. Every time I tried to get a photo of him he gave me a new face. This was his serious one.

And the winner is.... Pat Rawson. 

I wondered if Dennis was disappointed. I asked him how he felt and he said he was just really honored to be there. All the boards were amazing, besides, how often do you get to hang out with Dick Brewer!