The making of a fingerboard takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and most of all, i'd say experience. When i started making decks, they were no where near where they are now, and that's the same thing with all great deck makers. However, while many conceal their process, i'd like to give you a better look at how a great deck is made. I can not show you every fine detail of the production, as a few steps must remain trade secrets as i use methods that i believe to be exclusive to Cuatro / Mad Genius.

Step 1: The Plies
We start of Course with High quality veneers: exotics, domestics, and brilliantly dyed. We crossply our 5 plies in our boards, as well as keep bottom ply grain going vertical for pop and strength.

We also cut each ply a uniform size, to keep decks neat and orderly before shaping.

Step 2: Molding

After picking out plies for the deck, we apply a layer of (Removed) glue. We then place our ready-to-mold "sandwich" in the mold and press the deck. Our mold is made of an extremely strong (Removed). This material is literally as close as one can get to a metal mold, while not being one. We have two mold replica's, allowing us to press two decks at the same time.

Step 3: Out of the Mold

After 6 hours in the mold, the deck is ready to come out. But wait, we can't move on just yet. The deck must be given ample curing time before sanding, to maximize the hardness of the glue and stiffness of the shape before moving on. This waiting (commonly called "Curing") is used in the productions of skateboards, as well as fingerboards.

Step 4: Shaping

After the deck has cured, we can move on to shaping. This is where we sand or cut the "sandwich" to the shape of a deck. There are 3 steps, the first side, then the second, and finally the kicks. Careful sanding and multiple belts is key to a well-crafted fingerboard. This is also when we determine the width odf the deck. Some fingerboarders prefer a narrower board, 26-28 mm, while others enjoy a wider one, at 29 or 30 mm width.

Step 5: Fine Sanding

After shaping the deck, we fine sand the edges by hand and remove any fringe, as well as slightly bevel the edges of the board. This gives a cleaner, sleeker look. It also works for added comfort as you don't have a sharp edge you have to flicking against while fingerboarding with the deck.

Step 6: Clearcoating

After all the fine sanding is done, it's time for that brilliant finish. We use a secret clearcoat that is the best we have found in our 2 years of deck making. Many have described the finish on Cuatro/Mad Genius decks as the best finish they have ever seen on a fingerboard. We sand between coats and perfect the surface, making it perfectly smooth.

Step 7: Drilling

Cuatro made a large investment in Drilling machinery, and it has paid off. Holes on Cuatro decks are perfect every time, well countersinked, and centered, uniformly deep kingpin holes. We garuntee youll be able to get your trucks on, as long as they are not defective. And now, finally, the deck is finished. That is how a Cuatro fingerboard is molded, shaped, sanded, clearcoated, and drilled. Enjoy :)