fixing a delam

neither. and filling that bubble with resin is NOT going to fix it. You'd be better off doing nothing.

Cut out the section of glass and patch in new cloth and resin. I'd cut a section 1.5x the size of the bubble. Those oscillating multi-tool things work good. No need to cut into the foam. Sand edges, recoat. Consider glassing it heavy if the delam was an area that was bombarded with pressure.

 

yep...cut it and reglass it. If your pretty skilled with glass and repairs, and the delam is only the size of a CD, then this a relatively easy fix.

Often with delam spots, the foam will turn out to be caved in underneath so when you cut out the bad glass, you may find that you need to build up the depression (i use resin and q-cell mixed to a creamyh/foamy consistency for this) before you glass it to make it flush with the surrounding deck.

 

I know what you meant. Seriously, don't waste your time. The glass is already saturated with hardened resin... which separated from the foam, right? Well your foam is either compressed (likely) or expanded (possible) in that area. So you'd need to bring the foam to the lamination - not vice versa- if you were to fill the cavity. Best to cut out the section and relaminate it. Basically your blank is different now compared to when it was originally glassed. Don't stretch the original lamination to fit its current shape/state.

 

The delam will definitely grow of you don't fix it. Any flex in the board will pull the glass away from the foam fairly easily once the bond is broken. Cut it out with a dremmel or utility knife and reglass the area.
Or just leave it go. That's always an option, delams don't take on water but shorten the life of the board.

~Brian
www.greenlightsurfsupply.com
Shape Your Surfing Experience

 

Another option is to cut a flap, clean out any loose debris, pour in lam resin, flap it back down, weight it down so all the excess resin squeezes out, wipe clean, let it kick, sand and patch the flap line, hotcoat, sand. I never fill in the dent... not worth the effort/weight/bulk.

 

Yup- reglassing is the way to go- make sure you cut all the delam out-so the edge of the old glass is still secured to the foam. I have never had any success with the cut/slit/drill holes method and fill- always looked like garbage too. The only time it worked out ok was when using laminating resin...
I would either let it go or cut (possibly fill with qcell) and reglass. although- this adds extra weight. After doing quite a few of these repairs- I think it may be better to just leave it...

 

I'd cut the flap so the hinged part is along that section against the stringer. Flap it back, clean out all the dust, and lam it back down. It will look better than re-glassing, too.

 

Hey Mex, I just got a delam in so i took pics of everything to help you out

the blog is here which has a ton of ding repair help and board building info. http://greenlight-surfsupply.blogspot.com/

but i will post it on here as well to help other out who may want to know. Keep in mind that this is the way i do it, and not the only way to do it. i find it to be the easiest and best way for me.

First off PREP your area, it is essential and the most important part. Sand the whole area with 40 grit a few inches past your delam so later on when you lam over it will have a strong mechanical bond. than cut out your area of delam... i use a cut off wheel but a razor will work also. HEre i outline the total area to give myself reference. Here is the cut off wheel i use and you will need plier... this is what i use maybe not the best but it works Cut out your area rip up with plier.... if cut right it will come off as one solid sheet. i have two delams so i had to repeat Than mix up resin and filler (i use micro balloons or spheres just because i like the texture and ease of sanding, as well as increase in buoyancy. but Q cell or Cabosil work as well. i also add white pigment Mod-C or Surfacing wax (same thing) and MEKP/cat. fill to cover everything smoothly and once hard sand flush. than lam over as you would regualarly. i just got to the fill today but i will sand and finish tomorrow. i hope this helps. if you have any question give us a call at the shop we can hook you up! or email us.

 

^^
This is exactly how i would do it.

If you decide to go LBCREW's way, DONT cut along the stringer. Cut the glass in a semicircle but leave the stringer side of the delam still attached as the "hinge" of the flap.

Most of all, dont worry, either one will work, and neither one will damage the board so you have nothing to lose and knowledge to gain.

 

If you do LBCREWS way the color will match a bit better especially for older boards that are yellowed. so depending on how you want it to look, choose either way. but i always avoid injecting resin.

 

Hello friends from NJ, NZ and the rest of the world. I plan on fixing a delam this weekend on a orange log. I don't have any pigment to attempt to match the color so I was thinking about glassing in a picture or something. I don't have rice paper nor do I plan on getting any. What do you recommend to avoid a large white spot on my pretty orange board?

 

go to an art store, find a little bottle of water based acrylic paint that matches the orange as closely as possible. A big store will have a few shades of oranges to pick from in little 4 oz bottles.

Cut out the bad glass by one of the methods described above, clean the exposed foam and sand it smooth with 150 grit or whatever you have on hand.

Paint the foam orange, let dry.

reglass the delam as you would normally.

 

You guys are awesome with the details. Have been putting off a delam repair, maybe I will try it.