HELP: Repair/Resurface 8' Softlite Foam Board

[Pez]

Hey Guys,

I just bought a 8' softlite surfboard off gumtree for $50 AUS. I got it for my best friend to use when we go surfing.
The guy kept it out in the yard, so the foam on it has started to crumble and fall off the board.

Is there anyway of fixing this?
Please see photos below

Thank you for your help

[dtc]

Is it really cumbly when you run your finger over it (ie coming off?)

Does it matter - its a 'playtime' softboard, it doesnt have to be perfect (no board has to be perfect). if it works and doesnt take on water, then its fine. Even if the foam is crumbling off, so long as underneath is a hard solid bit of foam then the board will still work. Its a $50 board, cheaper than a Big W bodyboard almost; it is what it is!

If there are holes then you can use a hot glue gun and just fill with glue. Dont try super glue or fancy glues, which will melt the foam.

You cant replace the foam that crumbles off, or at least I'm not aware of any product that works like that; you could I guess cover it up with some waterproof tape if you wanted. Or even cover it up with wax. But I dont think you need to

if you wanted to go whole hog I guess you can fibreglass the entire board. But that will cost more than the board and has some downsides (and turns the board from a softboard to a hardboard)

[waikikikichan]

If it’s all crusty flakey, it’s gone. But one thing you can do to lessen the bleeding fore arms is to put Wax Paper and clothes iron the rail on Low setting. That’s just to knock down the edges.

[dtc]

Wax paper and iron is very inventive! Is that a common trick and I just never heard of it (which would not surprise me in the least)?

[billie_morini]

Wax paper and iron is very inventive! Is that a common trick and I just never heard of it (which would not surprise me in the least)?

dtc,
that Waiki, he know almost everyting. And, da' Bra' share all dat he know!

[waikikikichan]

It's an "old school" cheap repair trick for body boards. I heard the "new school" guys use a silicon sheet. I've never tried that, since i don't leave my softboards outside.

low quality video and sound. But interesting to see the before and after

[dtc]

Very cool (no pun intended). Looks like it could be worthwhile for Pez

[Pez]

Sweet, Thank you so much guys.
I appreciate it.
I'll let you know how it goes

[Pez]

So I ended up doing a few techniques:
- Iron/heat gun and wax paper
- Hot glue
- Iron
- Fine grit sand paper

One side of the board had more foam on it and the heat and wax paper technique worked well.

The other side, shown in the photos, of the board's foam was only a thin layer.
So here I:
1. Used the fine grit sand paper to smooth out the foam
2. Used the hot glue gun and filled in all the gaps and sealed the exposed inner board
3. Used the iron itself to them smooth out the hot glue

Its not the most beautiful looking thing, but It no longer crumbles and the inner board is protected.
I was thinking I may give it a paint but, we will see how we go haha
I now feel better about lending it to my best friend.
See photos below, not the best images my phone was lagging heaps (Very old phone)
Feedback welcomed.

[dtc]

Cool, glad we (well, waikikichan) could help; thanks for letting us know how things went. Looks like you did a pretty good job

be careful painting, some paints will have solvents etc that can dissolve the foam. Spray paints might be worth a look but absolutely do a test before you go big. Or Posca pens will be a safer bet. I wouldnt bother painting the deck entirely, the foam will flex and the paint might crack; also could be quite slippery

so maybe just touch up with a Posca pen and go surf.

[billie_morini]

Pez, saw your final repair notes. Surf on & keep the stoke, dude!!!
billie

[saltydog]

Diy skills really come in handy in surfing. Now go catch some waves!

[waikikikichan]

Thank you so much for showing the results. A lot of time we never hear back from people after giving advice.

Another thing you could use that's hanging around the house is SHOE GOO to fix tears and holes.

You could also try buying 40 gallons of Tool Dip and a 50 gallon drum, and cover half the board at once.

Screenshot 2018-03-07 at 6.13.31 PM.png (97.22 KiB) Viewed 3534 times

just joking

[jaffa1949]

Thank you so much for showing the results. A lot of time we never hear back from people after giving advice.

Another thing you could use that's hanging around the house is SHOE GOO to fix tears and holes.

You could also try buying 40 gallons of Tool Dip and a 50 gallon drum, and cover half the board at once.

Screenshot 2018-03-07 at 6.13.31 PM.png

just joking

Agreed great to hear the results of advice taken
But the fake news tool dip! Fortunately does not exist in Australia, nor Austria based on research here so far!

[surf patrol]

I love this site - great stuff