Surfboard repair question

if it's a nice board & you want it done right, have a professional do it. fins a finicky things & doing it wrong could ruin the board. i do a lot of my own ding repair, but i would never attempt to do my own fin/fin box repairs.

 

It's gotta come out and a new plug installed. Easier done if one plug is undamaged but certainly fixable either way. I have done many. Only attempt it if you have all the proper bits and jigs.

 

You arent really very specific about what type of setup it is (it sounds like FCS) but in general if the fin angle is visibly tweaked, and the water got down into the resin that secured the plug, then that plug has to be drilled out or otherwise removed, and replaced. Its shot. The way I remove bad fcs plugs is with a hole saw of the right diameter...i think it is 1 1/4" Its not that easy to do properly, and if the board is pristine, you should have someone do it who knows FCS installs. If you like to DIY, then get an FCS plug, the proper hole saw to put in your drill, a bit of poly resin (NOT suncure) and re-install using the fin as a jig, match the angle of the other side fin, or vertical if its the trailer. The worst thing you can do is blow it, which will cost the same to fix at a shop, as having them fix what you've got now.

 

If you do drill it out yourself use a Quick Set install jig from FCS so the drill bit won't wander and you get a clean hole. Makes the repair pretty simple actually.
Mitchell explained the method right on.
Go for it!

~Brian
www.greenlightsurfsupply.com
Shape Your Surfing Experience

 

consider cutting the plug out, and just resetting it using a mixture of resin, foam dust, and chopped fiberglass cloth. then sand flush and wipe/brush with clear plain resin. you can use epoxy...just get a small kit from the dollar store instead of buying a repair kit for 20 bucks at the surf shop. Just please make sure you let the foam dry before repairing. Cut out the plug and then stick your board in your hot car for a few hours...let it cool, and then make your repair.

 

If its FCS and the other fin plug is still in tacks I heard of guys just installing the plug and while its curing sent the fin it the slot and the angle of the good plug will make it match the angle for the one curing when the fin is intalled while curing. But get the tool if your gonna do it your self and like others sain dont use sun cure for a fin repair . I know its tempting but dont.

 

White pigment is actually used to make the resin white on a pro FCS install. Foam dust would probably whiten it up some. I mix the resin with some stuff called milled fibers to thicken it up a bit. Austin will have it, or whatever alternative he uses. you only need a teaspoon or so.

Epoxy resin can be used, but overheating can be a problem with FCS installs using epoxy resin especially in hot temps, and when there are voids in the foam that mean a pool of the resin is setting up and builds up heat. Ive seen it froth up!

 

Good luck with the repair...just a few things to consider...

The x-2 FCS rail plugs need to be attached to the deck of the board in order to spare you from any issues in the future. Most rail fin failures are either caused by and incredible amount of stress or by poor installation (which it sounds like the latter in this case).

The FCS install kit comes with a number of specialty tools outside of the "holesaw." These allow you to not damage the integrity of the foam around the center hub of the foam attached to the deck of the board. Essentially this helps with the integrity of the install. Go online and find a picture of the kit itself...look at the tools needed...if you think you can rig something do it!

Marine epoxy will work, but if it were me I would just purchase regular poly--also, it may just be worth it to buy a finbox repair kit (emergency) and some resin. You get the plugs, filler, etc. but then I would use the poly to set it. As for the filler...its q-cell...not provide any real significant strenth--but it does look pretty...you could add cut fibers will make it stronger, but not worth it as you will likely get a lot of air bubbles.

To be honest, I understand that you want to attempt this yourself, but I really don think it will be worth it in the long run...not worth the time and money necessary to get a decent fix. Realize that you blew out both plugs and there is likely quite a bit of damage to the foam below the boxes...further, with damage like this I have typically seen the glass delam'd around the boxes due to the force applied to the fin. Just pulls up the glass...Consequently, your repair is going to become a bit more extensive...at that point...you'll need glass, orbital/palm sander and sanding down the box itself is tricky because the likelihood of over sanding is high, etc. Realistically, this is going to take you a bit of time...more than you think it will...a shop could probably do it in 3 days and spare you a ton of frustration...

However, if your anything like me you're going to ignore the point above...if so, check swaylocks and search for homemade FCS installs...I've seen threads over there where people make their own jigs, tools, etc. It will help you incredibly...further, watch the installation video (http://www.foamez.com/page_2.html). THis will provide you with some perspective...lastly, if you need to talk to someone while in process...call Greenlight...Brian posted above and has done a ton of these installs...he could provide you some insight into trouble areas you may find...

Well...hope it works out...if it comes out to your satisfaction post a thread about the process...I';m sure there are plenty of people on here interested....

 

Like many others suggested, I'd take it somewhere for that kind of repair. If you do it yourself, there sure is some good info here.

As one person mentioned make sure it's fully dried out first. However I woul be careful with that hot car technique. I had a board delaminate after I left it in a hot car too long.

 

any ideas on estimated cost to fix 1 fcs fin plug for the center trailer fin??.....my trailer fin is all cock-eyed. the plug is crooked and the glass i a bit cracked. I'm thinking of doing it myself but since it's a mint board i'm willing to have a pro do it if the price aint too steep.

estimated costs????

 

Single FCS plug is usually around $30

 

http://www.foamez.com/fins-fin-systems-fcs-fin-system-c-4_36.html

My opinion: take it to someone who knows what they are doing if you want to see the board live out a full life. Fin system repairs are a little more difficult than your average ding repair.

 

thanks for the feed back. I'm more interested in the estimated costs to have a professional fix it...not so much the cost of parts to fix it myself..that's easy to figure.

 

On average a single FCS plug starts @ $30, depends on how severe the glass around the plug is broken, no more than $45. That the range that I charge for FCS.

 

Ha, I realized that right after I posted. Don't know what I was thinking...

 

I agree with mgarbutt... depends on the damage around the plug. Usually there's less damage around the trailers because the stringer helps, but it can still get ugly. What might look to you like, "not too bad" might look like considerable damage to someone who knows what to look for. A cracked plug or a plug with a damaged screw hole is a quick replacement fix. But if there's a bulge in the glass on one side of the plug it's a much bigger job to get it right.

 

The first thing you need to do is figure out what type of foam core you have. Using polyester resin on an EPS cored board will definitely increase your problems.

On the other hand, epoxy or polyester on a urethane cored board is OK.

DON'T use polyester resin if EPS. All the other tips are A-OK. Best wishes on a solid repair however you decide to do it.