New Board

[MidAtlanticNovice]

Bought a new board from a local shop around here, I ended up going with a used shaped surfboard... and I was not disappointed! I've taken the board out a few times, and the waves I catch are much more satisfying than the foam board I was renting. Definitely appreciate all of your guys' help! It ended up being close to the blackbird board I was looking at, but just with a slightly brought in nose. Figured it was close enough to what I was looking for!

However, when I purchased the board I noticed there was a little spot on the side of the board just below nose that had been repaired... at least that's what it looks like to me. I did not notice the little hair line cracks at the time, but the rest of the board looks great. So I'm not too worried. I can't tell if these hairline cracks are under the glass (or whatever laminates the board) or if it's on the surface.

Anyway, I will post some pictures and I'd like to know what you guys think of it. Should I get it checked out before going out on it again? The cracks seem to be under where the ding was repaired, which is the main reason why I'm curious. Wish I had just asked the seller about it...

http://imgur.com/a/eUEkP

[MidAtlanticNovice]

Turns out it's an actual ding :/

Got some Solarez on the way... been looking around at some videos, some people chip away... some people just sand off the spot. Any ideas for this case?

My plan at the moment is to sand it down until it isn't rough anymore and then putting some of that solarez on there... letting it harden for awhile, and sanding it back down.

Seems easy enough, is that all that's needed?

Would have asked for a little more off the price had I known. Awe well, it's in really good condition otherwise.

[oldmansurfer]

Patch it with SolarEZ should make it water proof and surfable but if it were me I would sand it down and glass over it because the SolarEZ repair will be weaker that the original board and you will have to watch it closely to see if it gets damaged again or you will get water damage. It will still look like a ding and you won't easily be able to tell the difference between a new ding and the old one.

[MidAtlanticNovice]

Patch it with SolarEZ should make it water proof and surfable but if it were me I would sand it down and glass over it because the SolarEZ repair will be weaker that the original board and you will have to watch it closely to see if it gets damaged again or you will get water damage. It will still look like a ding and you won't easily be able to tell the difference between a new ding and the old one.

Ah alright, thanks. I might drop it off at a shop and see how much it would cost to get fixed and how long. Don't really have the equipment/space/etc for anything too intensive. The SolarEZ may still come in handy someday if I need a quick fix.

Appreciate it!

[oldmansurfer]

Absolutely, use the SolarEZ for small stuff and to get the board back in ridable shape till you can get the bigger stuff fixed properly

[waikikikichan]

Do you have a Dremel tool ? Just Dremel away the lifted fiberglass, sand down the area around, tape off area, put in some Solarez, cover with clear plastic like what electronics are packed in ( Saran Wrap is NOT strong enough ) , let harden in the Sun, sand again, put Solarez again if you find bubbles.

[MidAtlanticNovice]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I brought it into a "ding repair shop" and the guy there told me I had nothing to worry about it was just a glass shatter... Or something along those lines, can't recall the exact terminology.

I probably should have mentioned it wasn't actually dented in any way shape or form, it just looks a little funky.

Is this a relatively normal occurrence for boards? I've noticed it has something like that going on near the nose as well, just not as condensed.

[waikikikichan]

Turns out it's an actual ding :/.

Wait, first someone told you "it's and actual ding", then the repair guy said it's "just a glass shatter" ? Who's right ?

Bought a new board from a local shop around here, I ended up going with a used shaped surfboard... and I was not disappointed! I've taken the board out a few times, and the waves I catch are much more satisfying than the foam board I was renting.

Is this a relatively normal occurrence for boards? I've noticed it has something like that going on near the nose as well, just not as condensed.

That's the beauty of sponge boards, you don't hurt others, it doesn't hurt you and it doesn't hurt your wallet with ding repairs. Pressures will happen daily. Shatters will happen from your knee or elbow anytime you slip or fall or get ragged dolled under the water. Dings will happen anytime your board comes into contact with something else ( body, sand, reef, another board ). Get used to it. Sponge board were a lot more care free. ( literally )
By the way, cover those Shatters before sea water gets in an the area becomes brown.

[MidAtlanticNovice]

Yeah, I was a little dubious considering I got conflicting reports from a guy I met at the beach, and the surf shop. I ended up taking a trek back to where I purchased the board, and asked them about it. They also said it was just glass shattering, saying it happens when the force isn't enough to be a ding.

Anyway, that's relatively good news I guess... and I initially didn't think it was a ding either, I thought it was a repaired spot haha. However, the shop I bought it from said if I really wanted to do something about it I could use waterproof tape or something to cover them up. Is this the only option?

Definitely have to agree about the sponge boards, have to be more careful with a real board. It's definitely been a good experience though, the feel is completely different.

[oldmansurfer]

If you can't feel the cracks in the resin then you can ignore it but it is a weakened area and will be predisposed to getting damaged if hit again. Instead of tape I would do a coating of SolarEZ .....tape is just silly. If you don't want to have the board for much longer do tape or ignore it. I guess it depends on how much longer you intend to use the board and how much money you have and how much handicraft type skills you have. I can't believe the shop said use tape, that is what you do to a board you don't care about. And I would call that a ding. It's a rail shatter and you will have many more of them if you surf much