Just bought a board, has hairline fractures

[Laurence]

Hello

I'm the proud owner of a secondhand shortboard. It's mint except for a few very fine hairline fractures on the bottom, running from rail to rail. They aren't leaking according to the previous owner, the foam is still as white as my arse but I'm just wondering if as soon as I get in the sea it'll snap under me. Any advice or comments? have I made a huge mistake? Cheers.

[Guest]

just get it repaired

[surf patrol]

If it's only "a few very fine hairline fractures on the bottom" then you may well be ok to go ahead and surf it but without looking I could not say for sure. The best thing to do is to take it into your local surf shop if you have one and get someone who knows to check it out.

[Guest]

Ask your Mum for some nail polish. Some clear stuff you won't see.

On one of the "hairline cracks" paint it on (not too thick) along the crack lengthwise for about 3-4 inches. I'd do this away from the center stringer...in a thin place were the board would be it's weakest.

Let it dry, and don't touch it when it's sticky ...ok (takes about 10 mins), then go & surf it.

When you get home have a REAL close look at where you painted the nail polish....if the hard nail polish surface has cracked in the same place as the crack underneath ....bad news, it means the crack in the glass is structural and the board is flexing with use. Things will go down-hill rapidly from here my friend unless you fix it now...

If there is no obvious crack in the nail polish it means the board is not flexing with use, the crack is only cosmetic in an outer layer of glass.

And although it should be watched for signs of further deteriation...the board won't die for awhile.
Brent.

[robster]

nice tip ;)

[babyboarder89]

yeah thats clever

[Guest]

I learnd that trick from an old bicycle mechanic when I was a kid. Old guys know stuff eh;-)
It's an easy way to see if a slight surface crack (like on a painted bicycle frame for example) is hiding dangerous structural damage under the paint - without stripping the paint off to find out.

Brent