Page 1 of 1

Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:18 am
by lachybalboa1
So there's plenty of resources online about how to repair damaged FCS fin plugs, but the fin dug into my board and cut a a straight line into it.
I haven't found anything specific about repairing this kind of damage. Is it the same process as regular ding repair?
Advice?

Re: Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:12 am
by kitesurfer
Post up a photo of the damage and i will be able to offer you some advice.

KS

Re: Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:39 am
by lachybalboa1
Image
Here's what is looks like. Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:41 am
by kitesurfer
Hi

Interestingly it looks like the fin box has been glassed over which is unusual for fcs fins and not something I would personally do.
First job is to clear out the hard resin filler mix from the front hole. I would use a router for this. You will end up with a slightly bigger hole than was initially used to install the fcs plug but this is not an issue.
Is the box that is still in the board reasonably secure or is it free to move? I ask because if it is still secure it could be used in conjunction with a fin to hold the front box in place whilst the resin/filler mix goes off when you install the front plug.
Similarly then the rear plug can be installed using the now newly fixed front plug and fin as a guide. If you see what I am getting at?

If not then you will need to fit both plugs together which is a little trickier and you will need to mark up on the board the inner edge of the fin line and extend fore and aft of the damaged area. This can be worked out from the other thruster by taking measurements.

KS

Re: Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 12:49 am
by lachybalboa1
Thanks for the advice.
I get what you mean about using the back plug as a guide to keep the angle.
But is there another way to clear out the hard resin mix without a router? I don't have much in the way of power tools. Would a fin plug repair kit be sufficient?
And how do I handle the cut in the foam behind the back plug?

Re: Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:01 am
by kitesurfer
If you don't have a router then you will need to carefully remove the hard resin with propably a small chisel. Bear in mind the resin will tear the foam inside the board so go steady.
The fin slice i would fix after i had installed the new fcs plugs.
I would treat it as most other dings sand the area and then fill it up with a resin/micro ballon(filler) mix and sand off later. The fin slice doesn't look that serious to me to be honest.

KS

Re: Repair fibreglass cut from damaged fin plug?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:04 am
by lachybalboa1
Cool I'll get right on it. Thanks so much for the advice! Been dying to get back in the water.