Al Merrick: epoxy or poly

[xaxafon]

Hello,
I have been searching through the Internet but nothing has helped so far.
I recently bought a second hand Al Merrick Motorboat Too (great board). Unfortunately I have made a small ding on the nose of the board. It is not deep at all but I want to fix it so no water enters. The problem I have now is I don't know if I have to use epoxy or poly in order to fix the ding. Does anybody know what are these boards made of?
If not, can somebody help me visually differentiate between poly and epoxy?
Thanks!

[Big H]

Got some pics?

[jaffa1949]

Is that the one you posted pictures of when you first bought it?
If so ordinary resin solar will do the job, if the stringer is plywood and not a painted on line and you can see it under the glass all good!
If not then get epoxy solar resin, it will fix either. But the standard resin will dissolve an EPS. Board!
The original picture look to show a standard board!

[Lebowski]

Epoxy boards aren't always the shiny opaque finish with fake stringer line. I've had a few that look like normal boards. If you're unsure which to use, use epoxy resin, as it can be used on both PU foam and EPS. If you use polyester resin products on EPS, the foam will melt away.

[xaxafon]

So a friend just gave me a tube of Solarez fibrefill UV-Cure polyester resin. In your opinion shouldn't I use it? I have heard that using epoxy on a poly board won't make a good fix as the bond made will only be physical and not chemical.
Isn't there any way to make sure what material is the board made of?
Thanks again

P.S.
Yes, the board I am talking about is the one I posted pictures of when I first bought it.
Here is the link it you guys want to see the board: https://surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=26297&p=191874#p191874
Now, after a few wipes, the board is much cleaner.

[Lusi]

My board is epoxy and i can see the foam and the wood stringer inside, the only way you know the difference is because the epoxy feels a bit more plastic and light and the board looks more shiny and "clean" , but PU have a more glossy look and when is damaged the resin cracks like a piece of glass around easily, epoxy doesn't.

[Lebowski]

If that were my board and there's nothing written on it to say it's epoxy/EPS, I'd be confident enough to assume it's polyester/PU, and go ahead and fix it. However, it's your board and your risk. For the price of some epoxy resin maybe you should just buy some if you're really unsure. I've never had a problem using epoxy resins on polyester/PU boards although I usually repair with the appropriate resin.

[saltydog]

Diagnostic steps:
Visual
1) painted stringer--- likely epoxy
2) clear resin with foam that looks like beads stuck together--- epoxy
Else lightly sand the ding area and sniff
3) distinct chemical odor--- poly
4) mostly odorless--- epoxy

If in doubt ask a surf shop guy or someone who is familiar with ding repair. Poly resin on an epoxy board will eat up the board Epoxy resin on poly is safe although it may not last forever. You can always contact Channel Island also.