This is my answer to What & Why V.E.S.
I hope this answers some things: It's a long read, sorry.
I started Vintage Evolution Skateboards as a way to improve the condition of all used vintage skateboards that are in very bad shape, and at the same time elevate the value of all vintage boards and parts around the world, starting with my own collection of beat-up cheap entry level boards that most beginners of skateboard collecting can afford to buy. The volume of these boards in the world is huge. I also wanted to learn how to work backwards with some of the worst problems a board can have, addressing and learning how to work on all kinds of conditions a vintage board and its graphics might be in and how they relate to each other. I didn't want to just cover the board with new graphics, I wanted to restore the wood under the graphics first. I wanted to make the patina and aged colors of the board look good and last. What I learned is this: if you don't fix the board first and right, the graphics will just fall off sooner or later.
So I took a chance and started my own website with information that gets to the problems vintage boards have and in a way that doesn't hide them, and it's for free to look at for everyone, everywhere. I also wanted to do things my way and not follow the status quo of most refurbisher's making vintage boards look new. Someone had to find a way to save vintage skateboards with history for the future. The skateboard industry doesn't seem to care about us and our old looking board. Well V.E.S. does and we don't care what brand it is. Also, I couldn't find anyone talking about the tools needed to do such detailed refurbishing, so I invented the one of a kind tools and the process to make things happen for these old boards. And I noticed no other refurbisher was talking about how long their refurbished board will last and if it can be skated now and in the future with no graphic problems. I think my website will show we solved that. And the big problem of refurbished boards looking new and being sold with no disclosure that work was done. I think we do the best with that because we don't make new looking boards or new graphics - SORRY - V.E.S. boards show history that can't be copied and every board done by V.E.S. comes with a certificate of work done. Plus, what is the value of a vintage copy? I think the high value of a board like this shouldn't be equal to an authentic vintage board in any shape. As of this point in my professional refurbishing career, it's my belief that boards refurbished right will last a long time and boards fixed quick will only hurt the market now and going into the future for collectors.
We started working on boards made from the Time period : 1980 to 1995 when we first started but have moved on to todays boards as well. We also believe every single board we work on is different and every problem it might have is different. We have learned how to address and reverse the damage and get it back to as close to stock as possible while keeping its history intact for the future. Our research is also helping the majority of us that can't afford new looking vintage boards but see the value in what we have and want to contribute boards back to future collectors of the world and not just let the boards fade away. We are doing the hard work of innovating and saving skateboards history that others are scared to do or can't. The other big difference between us and other refurbishers, is that we see the beauty in a boards history and have found a way to make it custom, look good, last and have value far into the future, even for that person that wants their board and history saved for future generations to come in the family. We look at boards all over the world, and in any shape, condition, brand or year. Just look at any of my project boards and you will see we have no fear at all, no matter the condition the boards are in. We take a board you can't skate or touch and turn it into something that will last and have value, now and down the road for anyone. I ask you, the collectors of the world this, what vintage boards are going to be left around the world in fair condition in 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now that the average collector can afford or get? And will all the vintage boards left to buy in the future be a copy? That's a horrible thought! The answer to that is the board with problems in your hands, and do you care if it's handed down to future generations of skateboard collectors in the world? We do, and we are the only skateboard R&D resource shop saving our history in this way. If you don't believe me, do some research and google it.
Now many have tried to do sorta what V.E.S. is doing with vintage skateboards to some success but no one has done it to make a vintage boards with history last like this. We don't just cover a board with new graphics, we save the graphic patina and the history that comes with a board. We also don't fix the boards wood condition fast like so many have for so long. We take are time because you can't save one without the other. I have seen a lot of people talking about their skateboard history, but holding it or riding it into the future is way better in my opinion, especially if you know it will last. These thrashed old boards aren't getting any better and we have found a way to save them!
I am just an old school street skater that wants to save our history, and I have gotten very good at it, so this is my way of giving back to the sport I love. Please have a look at what I have been able to do for my boards and others. I have also relied on word of mouth to spread my way of refurbishing vintage skateboards around the world. Most people didn't even know this kind of refurbishing existed and are shocked! They all say they wish they knew about this before they sold their boards.
I am Robert Furlan the new VINTAGE SKATEBOARD - PRO REFURBISHER
Owner and founder of V.E.S.
Thank you for your time and I hope you like what you see under my project pages
and on my website.
