How to fix dings on your wakesurf board (with steps)
How to fix dings on your wakesurf board
Every surfer has experienced the frustration of finding a ding on their wakesurf board just as they were getting ready to hit the waves. Some might postpone their session, while others may ignore the issue and go wakesurfing anyway.
But did you know that you can fix dings on your board and make it look brand new again? In this article, we will explain how to do a quick repair and fix your wakesurf dings so that you can still perform well and ensure that your board is watertight.
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| How to fix dings on your wakesurf board |
Why fix your wakesurf board dings?
Even the smallest of dings can cause water to seep into your board, which can lead to further damage and a shorter lifespan for your board. It's also essential to repair dings to ensure that your board performs at its best. If you have a ding on the bottom of your board, it can cause drag, slowing you down and making it harder to perform tricks.
If your wakesurf board has dings or cracks, don't worry, you can easily fix them yourself. Here's what you'll need and how to do it:
What You'll Need
- To repair your wakesurf board, you'll need a few things:
- A penknife, Swiss army knife, or scalpel to remove any loose debris from the ding.
- A Solarez resin kit with coarse-grit sandpaper. This will help fill the ding and make it strong again.
- Fiberglass cloth, which you can get online or at a local shop. This will be used to reinforce the ding.
- Sandpaper with 120 grit and 180 grit to smooth the surface of the repair.
You may also need scissors, a sanding block, and sunlight.
Steps to Repairing Dings on Your Wakesurf Board
Step 1: Dry Your Board
Before you start repairing the dings, make sure your board is completely dry. This will ensure that the repair lasts longer. If your board has water inside it, it can cause more damage in the future. To dry your board, leave it in a hot place or under the sun. The heat will cause the water to evaporate, and your board will be dry in no time.
Step 2: Clean Your Board
Before you start repairing the ding, you need to make sure the area is clean. Use a credit card or other scraper to remove any wax, dirt, or broken stickers from the area.
Step 3: Remove the Broken Fiberglass
If the ding has caused a crack or break in the fiberglass layer of your board, you'll need to remove the broken fiberglass before you can repair it. Use a sharp penknife or Swiss knife to cut away any loose or cracked fiberglass, being careful not to damage the surrounding area.
Make sure to remove any debris or fiberglass left in the area. This will ensure that the new fiberglass you add later will adhere properly to the board.
step 4: Applying the Solarez
This is where we fix the ding by filling it with Solarez. It's important to do this in a shaded area because if it's too sunny, the Solarez will harden too quickly.
Put a small amount of Solarez on the dinged area and make sure that it covers every part of the ding. This will prevent any air bubbles from forming. It's better to use a bit more than you need to make sure that the edges of the ding are fully covered and there are no gaps.
To keep the Solarez in place and prevent it from dripping, you can use cardboard or tape. Cover the area with clear sticky tape to flatten the top and compress the resin down. This will also make sanding easier later on.
Step 5: Leave the Board in Sunlight to Harden
To make the ding repair, find a place with direct sunlight and put the board there for 3 to 5 minutes. If it's cloudy or not very sunny, leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes. The longer you leave it in the sun, the harder the resin will become. But don't try to repair the ding when it's rainy, cloudy, or at night because the resin won't harden.
Step 6: Sand the Resin Until It's Flat
Once the resin has hardened completely, use sandpaper to sand down any excess until it's flat. Make sure to remove any leftover dust.
Step 7: Cut the Fiberglass Cloth
Using scissors, cut a bigger patch than the ding's size from the fiberglass cloth. A rectangle or square is best, and leave a few extra centimeters of overlap on each side. This overlap will help you bond the glass to the board.
Step 8: Apply Solarez to the Board
To start fixing the ding on your wakesurf board, put some solarez on the damaged area. This will create a foundation for the fiberglass patch to stick to. To make sure you apply the solarez evenly, use a piece of cardboard to spread it out.
Step 9: Apply Fiberglass and Top Layer Resin
Next, place the fiberglass patch on the solarez, and then add a layer of top coat solarez over the patch. Make sure to cover the patch completely and saturate it well.
Step 10: Let It Dry
After you have covered the patch with solarez and fiberglass, leave your board in the sun for about 5-10 minutes to dry completely.
Step 11: Sand and Clean
Once the solarez is hard and dry, use sandpaper to smooth out any lumps until it's even and flat. Then, use an old rag or water to clean the board.
Step 12: Time to Wakesurf
Congratulations! Now that your wakesurf board is fixed, you can get back in the water and enjoy the waves.
Conclusion
Remember that the steps outlined above are only for temporary repair of any dings on your wakesurf board.
It is not guaranteed that the wakesurf board will remain watertight for many years, but it should last you a few wakesurfing sessions.
