How to Make a Fiberglass Backboard

When basketball was first invented by Dr. James Naismith, basketball courts were not equipped with backboards. Fans would interfere with players' shots and wreak havoc on the game. By 1893, the first backboards were introduced and the art of shooting and rebounding was changed forever. Backboards give you a target to shoot at, thanks to the thick white square that all but assures a successful shot when hit squarely, so to improve your shot, build your own fiberglass backboard and practice shooting at home by yourself or with your friends.

Things You'll Need

  • 6-by-3.5-foot piece of fiberglass board
  • Table Saw
  • Power drill
  • Measuring Tape
  • Anchor bolts
  • Can of white epoxy paint
  • Can of red paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a piece of industrial-strength fiberglass board from your local plastics supply store. You may need to order fiberglass panels to use for your backboard. Be sure that your board is large enough to cut out a 6-by-3.5-foot rectangle to use as your backboard. A fiberglass backboard is more expensive than a plywood backboard, but it is lighter and lasts longer.

    • 2

      Measure the dimensions for your fiberglass backboard using a tape measure. The standard measurement of a regulation NBA backboard is 6-by-3.5 feet, which is the guide for college and high school backboards as well.

    • 3

      Cut through your industrial-strength fiberglass using a table saw or mini table saw with a diamond blade or a blade with fine teeth. Industrial-strength fiberglass will wear down weaker blades, slowing down the process and causing unnecessary replacement costs.

    • 4

      Drill holes for mounting the rim and hanging your backboard. If you are mounting your backboard directly to a wall, such as the side of a garage, drill four holes, one in each corner. Position your basketball rim in the appropriate location on your backboard, marking the location of the pre-set holes of the rim and drilling the corresponding holes on your backboard.

    • 5

      Paint your fiberglass backboard. Because your backboard will be outside, exposed to weather and sunlight, paint your backboard with an epoxy paint that will keep the fiberglass from blistering and ultimately failing. Use white paint so that it easily contrasts with any background you may mount your backboard on. After the white paint has dried, measure a 24-by-18-inch rectangle in the center of your backboard. Paint the boarder of the rectangle using red paint, making sure the line thickness measures 2 inches.

    • 6

      Attach the rim and mount your backboard. Using four standard nut and bolt combinations, attach the rim to your backboard by inserting the bolt so that it is coming out the back of the backboard. Secure the bolts in place with the nuts. Using anchor bolts, each with a 50-pound load limit, mount your backboard onto a wall, such as the side of your garage. Mark the location of the holes on your backboard so that when mounted, the rim on your basket will be exactly 10-feet above the ground. Secure the anchor bolts in place.