How to Fiberglass a Surfboard
Today's surfboards are designed to be light and hydro-dynamic so they glide across the waves and are easy to control by their rider. Construction consists of foam, either polyurethane or polystyrene, and complimenting resin molded into the board. It is then laminated with resin and fiberglass cloth to seal the foam and strengthen the board. The final stage is connecting the fins and creating a finish. It is inevitable a board will become damaged in its life. With a little patience and practice you can extend the life of your board for many more waves.
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Things You'll Need
- Latex gloves
- Sand paper 100,250,400 grit
- Fiberglass resin
- Fiberglass cloth
- Acid brushes
- Rubbing alcohol or similar solvent
Instructions
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1
Clean and dry the damaged area. Sand any protruding fibers smooth and put a rough sand around the repair to give the resin a secure bond. Wipe with rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove dust particles and ensure a clean surface.
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2
Mix the resin with the hardener according to manufactures instructions. Use an acid brush and make sure the resin is a uniform color before using. Cut appropriate lengths of the fiberglass cloth rounding any corners. This will avoid future delamination.
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3
Apply a thin layer of the resin to the damaged area. Place the cut pieces of fiberglass cloth on the resin and blot with acid brush until soaked. Take care and don't over do it. Apply just enough to thoroughly saturate. Make sure there are no bubbles and the cloth is smooth.
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4
Apply wax paper or some cellophane to the repair making sure there are no air bubbles or wrinkles. The body of a zip lock bag works great. This is to minimize sanding by making the repair smooth.
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5
Allow to dry for 24 hours in a warm spot away from sunlight.
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6
Sand the repair. Start using the larger grit paper (100). Continue to smooth with 250 grit and then wet sand with the 400. Sanding can be done by hand or using an electric sanding wheel or orbital sander. Once you are satisfied with the smoothness and sheen, find a good spot with nice waves and surf
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Tips & Warnings
If your resin starts to gel, toss it and mix up another batch.
Mix and sand resin in a well ventilated area. Dust from sanding can cause lung problems and resin can make you nauseous. Use proper protective equipment such as latex gloves, eye protection and respirator or dust mask. Do not exceed the amount of hardener called for by the resin manufacturer. This will produce a weaker repair, and may cause a fire hazard.
