How to Repair a Bodyboard

If you’ve been bodyboarding for quite some time now, we absolutely know the feeling when it gets its first dent. While it could be very frustrating, it is a relief to know that you can easily repair your bodyboard by yourself and without asking for professional help. If you’ve been surfingand had your bodyboard damaged by getting a hole in the deck or if it has been struck by a rock, you may need to take some time off to educate yourself with the basics of repairing a bodyboard.

In this post, we will be talking about everything that you need to know about how to repair a bodyboard. This task is very easy and gets you bodyboarding again in no time. All you need to do is to refer to this guide and let us help you make the most out of your bodyboard. Keep reading if you want to know more about it.

Can You Repair a Bodyboard By Yourself?

You can always seek professional help from a local to perform the repair for you. That is if we haven’t convinced you that you can do this all by yourself. One of the greatest advantages of using a bodyboard instead of a surfboard is that the bodyboard is a lot easier to repair.

Repairing a surfboard would also mean that you need to gather materials including fiber cloth and polymer, especially if you’re using a PU board. Repairing a surfboard would also seem like you’re performing surgery on it, as you’ll be cutting some of its parts loose, filling it in, as well as sanding it to have a smoother finish from before, and all of these tasks depend on the damage it has incurred.

With a bodyboard, on the other hand, you wouldn’t be required to do these. Repairing a regular bodyboard will only take you a maximum of 15 minutes.

What Are the Common Types of Bodyboard Dings?

• -Punctures found at the surlyn bottom
• -Punctures on the bodyboard’s top deck
• -Worn-out and detached leash anchors
• -Wrinkled or creased bottoms
• -Delaminated rail and deck
• -Deep gouges
• -Small cuts
• -Gashes

How to Repair a Small Hole in Your Bodyboard

Prolonged sun exposure, rocks, as well as sharp corals, can potentially damage your bodyboard, which results in a non-waterproof and heavy bodyboard that wouldn’t last long. Given the dings mentioned in the earlier section, it is important to note that you must refrain from using super glues or any other products that are abrasive, as these will likely burn the bodyboard’s core. Doing so could also make your bodyboard end up in the trash.

If you’re repairing your bodyboard just by yourself, you should see to it that you also protect the core of the sponge while you try your best to prevent the bodyboard from getting waterlogged. If you neglect to repair this problem, salt water is likely to cause the deterioration of the bodyboard’s polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) foam. If you’ve -found a small hole in your bodyboard, here’s what you should do:

- Thoroughly clean and dry the area where the hole or is located.

- Squeeze some glue into the hole’s opening.

- Ensure that the hole is thoroughly filled in.

- Use a credit card or any kind of flat object to smooth out the surface and make it flat.

- Be sure to scrape the excess glue away.

How to Repair a Bodyboard

For all other dings that have been mentioned in the earlier section, here are some of the steps that you should take note of:

- Before you proceed with the repair, carefully remove the dirt and old wax from the bodyboard. In addition, you need to make sure that the bodyboard has dried completely, as moisture can potentially interfere with the ability of the resin to patch up the bodyboard.

- Do the repair in a well-ventilated location. This task would be perfectly done in a garage, but as long as it’s not enclosed. Another great location for repairing your bodyboard is outdoors but under a shade. Keep in mind that we do not recommend that you do this task under direct and harmful sunlight.

- Squeeze some resin on the delaminated or damaged area on the bodyboard. To add, never worry about applying excessive amounts of resin, as you’ll be spreading it later on.

- You may use a spreader or use a knife, a screwdriver, or any other laminated card like an ID or credit card, to spread the excess resin evenly on the damaged area of the bodyboard. In addition, we do recommend that you fill out all cavities found in your bodyboard.

- As mentioned earlier, spread the resin but only until you have filled up the hole. However, if you find yourself repairing a delaminated rail, you may also need to clamp the rail’s edges using your hands. You may also use a large bulldog clip for around 10 to 15 minutes, just so that the materials will be bound together.

- Wait for the resin to dry and completely harden before you get yourself bodyboarding again.

Tips on How to Repair a Bodyboard

• - If the bodyboard that you own features an EPS core, then you may absolutely use a glue gun to fill in its cavities, delaminated area, or gouge. Just remember that you need to be very careful using the glue gun because the stick can be very messy. Make sure not to touch it while it’s still hot.
• - You may use some sort of mask, may it be a gas mask or a cloth mask or simply your shirt, to cover your mouth and nose while you’re doing the repair. Inhaling resin could be very toxic to your body, especially when inhaled in large amounts.
• - You’ll know that the resin has worked effectively if you notice that it has the skin quality of the bodyboard. You may also do further checks by giving the area you just repaired a good press.
• - Resin can also be used when repairing water sports equipment that is made of ethafoam, surlyn, arcel, and vinyl. However, the resin shouldn’t be used on your bodyboard if it’s made using EPS material.

Conclusion

Repairing your bodyboard is very easy and it’s something that you can do all by yourself. If you’re not confident enough, then you may seek assistance from a professional to do the repairs for you. Just remember to refer to this guide when in doubt. After all, we believe that we have provided you with everything that you need to know to be able to do this task right the first time.