How To Repair A Foam Core Windsurf Board
When the need arises to make a small repair to a foam core windsurf board, you can do this yourself. It is important to know how to do these repairs with the right materials. Using the wrong materials to make repairs can easily cause more severe damage or, in some cases, even melt portions of the foam core creating a much larger problem.
You need to understand first the materials and their limitations that are available. If you make the wrong repair and the site becomes a hard-spot on your flexible board, much more serious problems will occur in the areas surrounding the original repair. These additional problems occur from adjacent stress caused by unyielding repair materials.
What Not to do For Foam-Core Board Repair
To repair windsurf board your goal is to create a repair that gives your board the same structural strength that was present before repairs were needed. Do not add extra materials for good measure. You should never use materials that are not compatible with the foam core material. Never get polyester or vinylester products anywhere near your board. These products contain solvents of styrene which will melt the EPS foam core of your windsurf board.
Do not use any surf board wax to during repair . This will not seal well, softens in heat, and will dirty the area causing poor bonding of the correct repair materials later on. Another common product that is not suitable as repair material for your board is duct tape. It will leave a terribly sticky residue where applied and because of its fabric composition will not create a dry seal. If you have a small ding in your foam-core board using the right materials will easily solve the problem.
Using the Right Materials for Proper Windsurf Board Repair
It is relatively easy to repair windsurf board with the right materials. If your board has a slight ding on a shiny surface that is not causing a structural integrity problem, you can simply add another decal or sticker to your board to cover it up. For deeper dings, you will need to use a Ding Stick or Marinetex to fix the problem. To do this properly, timing is everything.
During repair process , you need to understand that the foam core will expand when warm and detract when in cooler temperatures. In order to correctly repair your board you will need to time the process so that the materials are applied after the warmest part of the day. If the foam core begins to expand with newly applied materials the area of repair will most likely leak.
The first step to windsurf board repair should begin in the late afternoon. First sand any glossy surfaces and clean out bit of debris from the ding. Now rough up the area the a file or 60-grid sandpaper. If your board has a vent screw, it should always be removed when making repairs. You are now ready to use a Ding or Epoxy Stick to repair your board. These sticks last a long time, are easy to use, and you should always have one in your repair kit.
Cut off a piece of ding stick large enough to more that fill the ding. Immediately re-wrap the remainder of the stick, return it to the tube, and replace the cap to prevent drying. Now kneed the slice of ding stick until the color is uniform throughout. Vigorously work the compound into the ding. continue working on filling the ding until you are certain that no air pockets remain. Air pockets will cause leaks.
Remove any excess material and smooth the outside of the newly repaired area with water-dampened fingers. To add a perfect finish you can later sand the area. Allow to set-up overnight. You can now repaint the area of repair with the appropriate board product, if desired.
You now are ready to get back out on the water. Have a great blasting day.
Resources:
http://2006.star-board.com/products/assistance/repair.asp http://www.paulscrutton.com/wsurfr.htm http://www.boardlady.com/repairmenu.htm
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com