I'm going to change the deck pad on my Sunova Aviator and while I'm at it I'm tempted to put a thin layer of concavity on the edges where my toes reference. Has anyone else done this? Tips? I'm not sure if just adding a thin layer of butyl tape would work, or if getting something like a 3d printed 3m shim would be better (I have no clue how to do that)? But, I'd like to make this little alteration since I love the board and just want to be able to throw a little more aggression into the rail to rail experience on it.

you can pretty much just layer the EVA decked material onto itself. you can grind or sand to whatever shape you like. the peel&stick will stick well to the EVA if the surface is relatively flat (and free of sanding dust). Or use contact cement.

You're in the gorge right? NSI has various thicknesses and densities of EVA.

Def doable with some EVA sheet cut square one side and beveled on inside edge

there is a way to make the bevel nicer but just cut with a scalpel on as much angle as you can would be fine

Thanks guys.

Kyle, yes, Gorge and I know NSI which is where I planned to pick up materials. I didn't know you could sand EVA though. Good to know.

Mark, I've got a full set of razor sharp hand planes so I'm sure I can put them to use shaping some foam.

This mystic deckpad has a nice subtle concave build in (6mm): www.mysticboarding.com/products/3-piece-tail-front-traction-pad?variant=42389120450739

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BWalnut said..
I didn't know you could sand EVA though. Good to know.
Mark, I've got a full set of razor sharp hand planes so I'm sure I can put them to use shaping some foam.

No it will catch.

Scalpel only, or a whizzy disc on a sander going very fast with GREAT care

NSI used to make me custom EVA wedges to place under my deck pad. It's the lightest option..

I made my own custom setup on the Gong Lethal by adding a flat deck with a concave EVA layer that was thicker at the edges. The problem turned out to be that the raised rail edges were too soft, and it felt like riding with a loose mast. If you're planning to build up the rails, I recommend using a hard material for the base and then adding just a thin layer of EVA on top. That way, you keep a stiff and responsive feel. I ended up removing my setup from the Lethal because it just wasn't rideable.

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Kalevi said..
I made my own custom setup on the Gong Lethal by adding a flat deck with a concave EVA layer that was thicker at the edges. The problem turned out to be that the raised rail edges were too soft, and it felt like riding with a loose mast. If you're planning to build up the rails, I recommend using a hard material for the base and then adding just a thin layer of EVA on top. That way, you keep a stiff and responsive feel. I ended up removing my setup from the Lethal because it just wasn't rideable.

That's a great real life tip. Makes me lean towards the butyl tape for those spots. Cheers for that before I blew the money and time on something squishy.

I'd use thickened epoxy to make the shape. Doesn't take much and the right thickening material adds very little weight.

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Grantmac said..
I'd use thickened epoxy to make the shape. Doesn't take much and the right thickening material adds very little weight.

oh yeah, that's actually a better idea. probably could build it up it even lighter than EVA with 410 or microballoons, and it's easier to control how you sand to shape. And honestly, probably easier to remove if you decide you don't like it.

Man, concave decks SUCK. I have one now and it's awful for foot pain. I much prefer my flat flat deck on my prone board Id just add a bit of traction like a 1/2" wide strip to register in the crease between your toes and your foot. Better yet, instead of adding traction try removing it from everywhere EXCEPT where the feet go, makes it super easy to slide that foot into the right spot.

concave is the opposite of arch suppprt. Try just standing around on a concave thing for a min and you'll feel it.

Good call Grantmac. Can I do that with something like a tube of solarez or should I buy something different?

TME: I'm not thinking of anything crazy like the Armstrong boards. At 18" wide the rolled edges of my aviator make it feel like a log. I just want a subtle 1/16" lip on the edge to push off of instead of having my toes rolled off the side where there's no deck pad.

I'd use some proper laminating epoxy and micro balloons.

Good call grant
cut a scraper from some plastic and it will be easy to make a nice even profile with a stiff Q-cell mix