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Installation

Prepare your workspace

Your BoardStatement package includes nearly everything you need to self-install your vinyl artwork. Carefully unpack and gather the materials provided. A tidy workstation, such as a clean dining table, will make installation easier.

Included supplies:

  • 1 x vinyl artwork
  • 1 x alcohol wipe
  • 1 x razor blade
  • 1 x coarse sandpaper
  • 1 x fine sandpaper
  • 1 x squeegee

Optional upgrade:

  • 3M Primer 94 Pen*

Additional supplies:

  • pen / pencil - narrow object to push with
  • friend - to lend a helping hand
  • blowdryer (optional) - post-heat your masterpiece

*The 3M Primer 94 Pen is available with purchase for a small upgrade fee. Use of vinyl primer improves edge durability. This can be a good idea since the edge of the wrap is the most common point of failure. However, the primer also adds risk and complexity to the install, since the wrap will adhere more strongly to the primed edges and be more difficult to reset. 

Step 1. Deburr your topsheet

Safety notice: always cut away from yourself while using sharp objects, blades, and razors. 

Sharp protrusions on your snowboard may puncture your artwork. If your board has any protrusions, it is a good idea to smooth them out before continuing. 

Remove large burrs with the razor blade provided, being careful to cut away from your body. Use the 200 grit, coarse sandpaper to lightly smooth this surface. Be precise and only sand burrs and protrusions so you do not scuff the topsheet. Repeat sanding with the 400 grit, fine sandpaper to finish smoothing the surface. As before, avoid scuffing your topsheet where no sanding is necessary.

Step 2. Clean your board

A clean surface will ensure strong adhesion between your snowboard and your new vinyl wrap. If your board is very dirty, it is a good idea to clean it thoroughly with soap and water. We find that it is easiest to do this with dish soap, a garden hose, and a rag. Note: you only need to clean the topsheet of your snowboard. After scrubbing and rinsing your board clean, allow it to dry completely. 

Once your board is bone dry, bring it to your tidy workstation. Unwrap the alcohol wipe provided and wipe down the top surface of your snowboard. Allow the board to dry completely before continuing, and avoid contaminating the surface of your clean topsheet with oily hands.

Step 3. Mount the vinyl

Carefully remove the backing from your vinyl wrap. If possible, have a friend help you peel away the backing while holding the sticker away from itself. Carefully and lightly mount the vinyl over the board in the desired orientation. Avoid pressing down on the wrap. If the wrap sticks to itself or to any unwanted areas, gently lift and pull away. Lightly stick the wrap to the nose and tail of your board to frame the artwork as desired. 

Begin in the center of your snowboard. Lightly press the wrap onto the center of your board. Take your time setting wrap carefully. Lightly press the wrap down with your squeegee, moving away from the center in small increments. Lightly lift and reset areas as needed. Slowly work outward from the center, applying as little pressure as possible and taking time to reset and fix creases and air bubbles. Some small air bubbles are inevitibale at this step and will be fixed later.

Optional: Primer application

  • Primer is not needed for regular installation. However, some may opt to take the extra step of applying vinyl primer for improved edge durability.
  • The best time to apply primer is after the center of the wrap is mounted, but before the edges have been "set". Avoid using firm pressure before applying primer.
  • Remove the cap from the primer pen. Gently peel back the wrap from the very edge of the snowboard. Depress the pen tip onto the edge of the topsheet until the tip is wet with primer. Use the pen to apply primer around the perimeter of the topsheet, periodically depressing the pen tip to re-wet with primer. Now gently squeegee the wrap over the primed edges and continue with the installation. 

Once the wrap is lightly applied to the entire board, return to the center of the board. Use the squeegee to apply moderate pressure outward from the center of the board. Use this time to guide air bubbles to the edges of the wrap. You may need to periodically lift and pull at the edges to release air bubbles. Once you are finished with entire surface of the board, move on to step 4.

Pro tip: Heat contouring

  • If your snowboard uses 3 Base Technology (3BT), such as in Bataleon snowboards, you may find it tricky to wrap the spoon-nose of the board. If this is the case, apply light heat with a blowdryer to the nose area of the wrap. Once the wrap begins to stretch and smooth out, allow it to naturally set itself onto the nose. Come in with your squeegee and gently work the wrap onto the surface, guiding air bubbles to the edge. Reset areas as needed.

Step 4. Trim the excess

Safety notice: always cut away from yourself while using sharp objects, blades, and razors. 

Trim around your board

Using the razor cutter provided, carefully trim the vinyl to fit the topsheet of your snowboard. Hold the razor at a 30 degree angle to the board (shown above). Pull the vinyl tight and allow the razor to glide smoothly along the edge of the board. Always cut away from your body. Continue around the board to remove the excess vinyl. The vinyl should not wrap over the edge of the board. If the vinyl is wrapped over the edge you must cut it back to the edge with the razor.

Cut holes for your bindings

Use a narrow object, such as a pencil, to lightly depress the vinyl over your mounting holes, creating divets into the holes. Using the razor, carefully cut around the inside edge of the bolt hole, being careful not to cut into the topsheet of your snowboard. Repeat this process for all of your binding mount holes. 

Clean up the edge cut

If your snowboard has any edge defects or chips, it is important to trim the vinyl inward around the defect. This will prevent the vinyl from peeling. Use the razor provided to gently cut through the vinyl around the chip. The vinyl should then be flush against the board all the way around. 

(Optional) Step 5. Post-heat

If you have a heatgun or hot blowdryer available, post-heating is a good idea which may help strengthen the bond and remove small airbubbles. Set heatguns to 140 degrees Farenheit, and blowdryers to their highest heat setting. Slowly work your way across the surface of the board, heating the surface untill it's warm to the touch. If there are any lingering air bubbles, you can gently squeegee them toward the edge after heating.

(Optional) Step 6. Remove

Removal of cast vinyl is very simple. Gently peel the wrap off the edge at the nose or tail of your board. Use a pair of pliers to pull the wrap away from the board, with a low angle pull (see below). If you have trouble, apply some heat with a heatgun or blowdryer to the section you are removing.