Luvtosurf:
I taught myself... I taught myself how to read the archives at swaylocks. I taught myself how to be patient and thorough and to plan well before ever putting resin to glass. Before any tint job I go through it step by step in my head at least a dozen times, figure out where I am unsure about what I need to do at any given point, then go research it some more.
It is a testament to the wealth of knowledge at Sways that I've never seen anyone glass a board (other than myself, of course).
My futures solution was just a happy accident born of necessity and desperation.