There is nothing like being on a surf trip far away from any surf shop and coming out of the water after a fun session to see a fat crack in your rail. It is a good idea to know how to fix a simple ding so you can be back out in the line up and on to the next surf spot in no time! So here is a how to (step-by-step) guide to help you fix your board while on a surf trip. Just remember to add a ding repair kit to your surf travel check list when packing.
- Sand the ding and surrounding area in need of repair
- Clean the area with your towel
- Cut out a piece of fiberglass cloth a little larger than your ding
- Mix the resin and setting agent according to the instructions
- Fill the crack or hole with resin/filler
- Apply the first sheet of Fiberglass cloth over the ding
- Put a layer of resin over the fiberglass cloth
- Repeat the process until the ding is all but gone
- Make sure you cover the entire ding area in resin
- Allow to set for at least 3 hours in sunlight, or up to 8 hours overnight
- Once resin has completely set (hard), use a fine sandpaper to sand the repair down… and you will be good to paddle out!
* All of the above items should be included in your standard ding repair kit. If you don’t have a ding repair kit try using a sticker or duct tape for a quick fix until you get back to your local surf shop.