Surfboard delaminating repair question

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 25 Jun 2008, 5:21 am

#653822

Hi guys and girls

I wondered if anyone here could give me some advice on how to repair a board.
The delam is approx 10" long 4-5" wide. It's on the top of the board and it sticks up like a blister, around 1/4" high & is flexible.
There are no surf shops near me but there are a few automotive ones. I have got some glass cloth, Ding All type of UV cure & MEK activated poly resin.

Any advice is much appreciated

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 25 Jun 2008, 12:15 pm

#653861

If it is a Delam bubble, I believe the usual fixing method is to put a small hole in it then inject some glue or resin in with a needle and glue the glass back down. havent actually tried this though, so Im not 100% certain thats right, but pretty sure.

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glencsiro Slammed & Awesome Dubber

96 posts · joined May 2008 · 25 Jun 2008, 2:12 pm

#653870

One tip for repairs that I've done on boards is get a fiberglass repair kit.
Use the kit with the neat fiberglass mesh not the rougher matted fiberglass that you can get for boats or bodywork.
Cut off the delaminated glass going about an inch past the edges of the delamanation, you can slightly rough the foam with course sandpaper, then cut out the mesh to the same size as the removed bit.
Then follow the directions on the resin and hardener make a little more resin than you'll need, better to have too much then to little.
Then place the cut out sheet in the spot, pour the resin make sure you work pout any air bubbles then level it off as best you can to the board, let it set then sand and polish if you want,

There are a few tutorials on the net so ave a look around as well.

waltermitty Legend when my beer goggles are on

1,993 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 25 Jun 2008, 8:12 pm

#653937

cut out any glass thats delaminated and reglass .m

23 windows ...8 too many!

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 26 Jun 2008, 3:13 am

#654011

waltermitty wrote:cut out any glass thats delaminated and reglass .m

what he said for any delams..
good luck with it!
put up a pic yeah!

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ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 26 Jun 2008, 7:29 am

#654021

Thanks for the replies guys.

Tonight I've stripped the wax & dug out a fair amount of "Ding Repair" type filler from the nose.
The delam'd section...umm I drilled some holes to get a looksee inside. At the peak of the blister it's clear that it's actually the foam that has split around 6mm down from the fiberglass.

What to do now? Carefully cut & remove affected portion, remove lam, glue back foam with resin? I don't know.
I did see a "instructable" where someone's removed the gash foam/filler repair on a board & used a 2 pack poly foam. Then allowed to go off and reshaped/laminated.

I have tools such as woodworking router (I also use metal chipping cutters in this), Pneumatic Vibro saw (the sort of thing they cut arm/leg casts off with), general woodworking tools, sanders, grinders, elbow grease....

I will take a photo later on.
It's a UK made board, shaped by Graeme Bunt (Local Hero brand) 9'8"
I bought it Xnd hand for a fantastic price (roughly 30 pints worth) as a "if I bust it it doesn't matter" sorta thing.
Prob is I love it now

glencsiro Slammed & Awesome Dubber

96 posts · joined May 2008 · 26 Jun 2008, 8:57 pm

#654161

Have a look at this guys site, he's got a few different techniques for delamination repair.
All you have to remember is your glass gives your foam core denting resistance and water sealing, you foam core gives you board structure and your stringer (wooden strip in the center be it 1, 2 or 3 strips) helps to stop you board snaping.
Work best around what you've got and you'll still be keeping life happy in the surf.
http://www.cflsurf.com/boardrepair.html

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 26 Jun 2008, 9:43 pm

#654177

Thanks for that bud. That was the site that I saw the 2 pack foam repair on. He's also used expanded polystryene foam on a later attempt on the same board. Very informative.

Is this the sort of repair that's common & good?

I hope to take some photos tonight of the board.

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 27 Jun 2008, 9:10 am

#654230

I've dug out the Ding repair bondo out of this shot.

Bit hard to see the bump, you can make out the shadow to the rear here.

Crazing with exploratory drill hole

Marked out area (now actually larger!)
Scary moments ahead.

Glass & delam foam

Big void

Any advice is much appreciated 🙂

As a bye the by:
My rides:

"Chuggs" '75 1200 delux, now running 1600 on a 1500 box, metallic Violet:

"Christine" (Scooby powered):

(thankfully you can't see the rust)

glencsiro Slammed & Awesome Dubber

96 posts · joined May 2008 · 27 Jun 2008, 11:31 am

#654249

Well that bloke does mention that his first attempt was undone by pressure differences in the hold of a plane, so he does a new one using foam sheet.
He does also go on to mention that the foam he got was a bit to soft which I translated to he either did get a very soft foam or he didn't put enough layers of glass on.
Honestly I can't say I've come across to may people who have repaired this way in Australia, it's usually to easy to get another board and bin the old one.
If you have a local shaper he may be able to give you some tips and some off cuts from some of his foam blanks.

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 28 Jun 2008, 10:09 am

#654381

glencsiro wrote:Well that bloke does mention that his first attempt was undone by pressure differences in the hold of a plane, so he does a new one using foam sheet.
Yup read that too 🙂
He does also go on to mention that the foam he got was a bit to soft which I translated to he either did get a very soft foam or he didn't put enough layers of glass on.
Honestly I can't say I've come across to may people who have repaired this way in Australia, it's usually to easy to get another board and bin the old one.
I don't go surfing that much & a new board like this would be about 500UKP. I have a brand new 8' (350UKP) but I'm totally loving this board. That's my problem. I bought it as "if it gets wrecked, it's not cost sweet FA
If you have a local shaper he may be able to give you some tips and some off cuts from some of his foam blanks.

As I said in my OP, I don't live near any local shapers, but I'm prepared to try anything once. If it's a "try again" moment I'll practice.... (Hell I couldn't weld/panel bash/paint before)
Hopefully I know when to ask for advice & appreciate comments/criticism.