Patching Surfboard Fiberglass

So, to begin, we need a nice clean working area. My place is small so I used my patio set (not the best idea though, as my wife flipped when she found out I was using toxic chemicals where we occasionally eat, just beware.)

Things you will need:

Surfboard with dings

Cleaning tools: wax comb, rag, and Gloves!!!

Resin, Q-Cell Filler, Hardener, Fiberglass Cloth

Mixing cup, stirring stick,Transparency

Sand paper: 1 rough grit and 1 fine grit

Starbucks (optional)

Next, you need to identify the dinged areas and figure out which method you prefer to use. I used cloth repair on the bigger ones (and the rail ones) and then the sun cure on the small ones (because I have heard it works well enough on small stuff).

Now we need to clean the dinged area of all the wax and fiberglass flakes.

Grab your comb and scrape any wax from around the area to be repaired.

Sand down, approximately 1/4", till you have a nice smooth surface.

Cut a small groove (in the direction of the ding) to give the repair mixture somewhere to seep into.

Now we come to the mixing process.

First figure how much resin you are going to need to adequately cover the cloth piece with a little to spare to pre-dab the dinged area.

Add Filler, it helps to make the solution less watery and more workable

Then add the hardener; you only need a little and it really depends on the temp. Your box should say what is appropriate for your particular weather.

Mixing Process (Continued)

Put the fiberglass cloth that you cut into the mixture.

Stir the cloth in slowly to cover the cloth with mixture without causing air bubbles.

Application Process:

Pre-dab the area with some of the solution, if there is a chunk of the fiberglass gone, use the solution generously to fill void.

Spread the soaked fiberglass cloth over the dinged area and smooth it out with your fingers.

Use the transparency to spread the cloth evenly, working out any noticeable bubbles.

Application Process (Continued)

Hold the transparency in place (be aware that it will not stay put).

Use tape (scotch, masking, painters) to secure the edges and make sure the transparency is held down tight