A ding in your surfboard can be more than a cosmetic problem.
Even a very small crack can let in water and begin to rot away the core
of your board. If you don't want to lose time and money by leaving your
board at a repair shop, you can tackle the ding repair yourself. Follow
the simple repair steps below and your board will be as good as new.
1.Gather Materials
The first step in repairing a ding in your surfboard is to
gather your materials. You will need sandpaper, painting or masking
tape, a scrap of fiberglass, resin and catalyst, and a little water.
Make sure to have both low and high grit sandpaper on hand; you will
need them for different stages of the project.
2.Sand the Area
First, use the low grit sand paper. Carefully sand the area
around the ding. You want to leave a rough finish for the resin to
adhere to. Don't sand too far down. You're not trying to completely
erase the ding and you don't want to do further damage to your board.
3.Tape Off the Area
After you have sanded the area, tape off a small area around the
ding. You want to leave some space to work with. Don't tape right up to
the damage. Taping off your work area will keep the rest of your board
clean.
4.Cut Fiberglass
Cut a small piece of fiberglass. The fiberglass should be
slightly bigger than the ding. You will want some fiberglass to overlap
from the damaged area onto the undamaged parts of the board.
5.Mix Resin
Mix your resin according to the directions. Make sure not to add
too much catalyst or the resin will be brittle. Be careful not to get
any resin on your hands.
6.Apply Resin and Fiberglass
Apply a small amount of resin directly to the dinged area of the
board. Quickly place the fiberglass on top of the resin. Place a little
more resin on top of the fiberglass patch. Make sure the patch is
coated.
7.Sand
Let the resin dry. Remove the tape from your work area. Use the
low grade sandpaper to sand the area again. Make sure to remove any
rough edges from the fiberglass patch. Do not sand too much or you will
sand through the resin you just applied.
8.Apply a Final Coat of Resin
Wipe the area clean. Then apply another thin coat of resin. This will be the final coat to go over the patch.
9.Wet Sand
Let the resin dry completely. Apply a small amount of water to
the area. Gently sand over the water using the high grade sandpaper.
When the area is smooth, wipe away the residue from the water and
sandpaper.
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10.Let it Dry
Let the resin cure for at least a day before using the board
again. It's best to leave it for several days if possible. The patch
will last longer if the resin has a chance to cure completely.
Completing ding repair on your surfboard is more than an
achievement. It can save you money and make sure you don't lose valuable
time on the water. Properly fixing a crack or ding can extend the life
of your board. The steps above should ensure your board is watertight
and ready to go.
Source
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