So, I scraped the wax off my board today and found some cracks along the stringer and a few along the rails. Wondering how I should go about repairing this. I repaired a few other dings that were obviously in need of a patch, but these don't have loose parts, just cracked. Do they even need to be repaired?
I would give it the finger nail test... if you dont feel it as you rub your finger nail over it then its internal and the board is still water tight. if you do feel it then it needs repair.
The cracks along the stringer are pretty typical for PU/PE boards. You can sand them down and re-hotcoat, but it's just going to happen again. Patching probably isn't necessary, although if you want to keep the board for a long time... well past it's "lifespan," you may choose to repair them. I wouldn't. The crack on the rail I"d fix. Sand, patch, fair, hotcoat as a normal ding.
Go to your local surf shop (or order online if you really have to) Sun Cure - Polyester SANDING Resin:UV cure! (not the stuff in the tube)And some 4oz cloth. If you have a cool ass shaper he may toss you a few skags of leftover cloth if you grobble enough. A few 1" paint brushes. Avoid the cheap ones due to bristles falling. 1 can of Acetone. 250 grit sand paper and 600 grit WET sand paper (Lowes carries this). I use the sanding sponges for the 250. Yes you can use Polyester Resin to repair a EPS / Epoxy boards. Just as long as you use Suncure epoxy fiberfill (in a tube) to cover any of the exposed foam. FYI. The epoxy fiber fill can take a while to set up. 1: Scrape the wax off the area needing fixed. Set the Suncure bottle in the sun for 10 minutes. Lid on please... 2: Dampen a cloth with acetone and clean off the area. Dont soak the cloth so that the acetone gets into the board!! 3: Scuff the area with 250 grit sand paper and wipe clean. 4: Cut the glass cloth 1 inch wider than damaged area. 5: Be sure to be out of the sun! Indoors or a garage. Covered porch will let in enough UV to set off the resin. 6: Shake the Suncure to mix the wax with the resin for about a minute (you did set it in the sun right?) 7: Brush on the Suncure, apply the cloth then brush on another layer making sure all bubbles are out and the cloth is saturated. lightly feather the resin out from the patch. 8: Dont over brush, let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes to smooth out. (keep your fingers off of it!) 9: Set it in the sun for 20 seconds, then bring it back in for 10 minutes to let the wax rise to the top. 10: Set it back in the sun for 10 - 30 minutes depending on time of year / uv index. 11: Sand with 250 grit just to take out any high spots and to feather the edges. (if needed ) 11.5: Apply another light coat only if your not satisfied with it. 12: If it looks good, wet sand using water and the 600 grit. Take your time, rinse it off to check your progress. Cut round glass cloth pieces to help fill in dings, if you really feel the need to do so. Wash it off with soap and water (glass grinding into your muffin top really sucks! Wax her and ride her till the sun sets
