How To

How to Fix a Ding on a Surfboard

How to Fix a Ding on a Surfboard
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(35 Ratings)

Use a fiberglass repair kit on a properly prepped surface to fix a ding on a surfboard. It'll look just like new.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Look over your entire surfboard for any and all chips, scratches and cracks. If there are more than one, mark them with a marking pen or a piece of tape.

  2. Step 2

    Use a razor blade to carefully cut away the fiberglass of the entire damaged area. Remove the whole damaged area, but be careful not to do any more damage by cutting into the foam of your board or peeling away undamaged fiberglass.

  3. Step 3

    Buy a fiberglass repair kit. Most surf shops and hardware stores carry them for under $20.

  4. Step 4

    Use sandpaper to thoroughly smooth the area around which you have removed the fiberglass. Sand so that the fiberglass meets the foam in a smooth seam. Use heavy paper, and leave the surface rough.

  5. Step 5

    Precut a piece of cloth from the repair kit to the shape of the damaged area.

  6. Step 6

    Mix the resin and catalyst as directed in the kit into a creamy paste. The paste will harden in a few minutes, so you have to work fast.

  7. Step 7

    Apply the paste to the area of repair, and lay the cloth down on the paste.

  8. Step 8

    Wait for the catalyzed resin to harden onto the board. Check your work, and make sure the entire damaged area was covered.

  9. Step 9

    Sand the board back to its original smoothness.

  10. Step 10

    Finish your work with fine wet and dry sandpaper.

Tips & Warnings
  • When applying the resin, it's better to put too much on than too little. You can always sand off the excess. However, don't spill any anywhere else on your board.
  • Be very careful mixing and using the resin and catalyst. Use only as instructed.

Comments  

foamslide said

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on 5/6/2009 I always make sure to take along some "solarez" it comes in handy when far from home and you dont have a ding repair guy. Always make sure the board is dry before applying.For more tips and daily surf news GO TO - FOAM SLIDE FACTORY - ENJOY!!!http://foamslidefactory.blogspot.com/

boarding said

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on 8/8/2008 You don't need sticks or dowels. They don't make it stronger and it makes harder to align the edges and rocker.

The best way to align a broken board is on a flat surface using wedges to align the rails and a straight edge to align the rocker. I have fixed many broken boards and this way is easy and always works well.

Check out this article for repair epoxy surfboards. I can't post a link so cut and paste it into you browser.

http://boarding.com/articles/2007/eps_epoxy_ding_repair_1.html

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 When fixing a snapped nose you should find some popsicle sticks, about 4 should do. Sharpen both sides of the sticks, put them in the foam of your board to reconnect the nose to the body. Make sure your careful, don't ruin the foam. Once the nose is reconnected, you can start to lay the fiberglass on your board. The sticks will make the nose stronger than when it was brand new.

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