How To Fix a Buckled Surfboard | SURFER | Roper's DIY Ding Repair

Just because your surfboard got creased from stomping that massive punt, or while getting flogged during that last swell, doesn't mean it's trash. If you've got the slightest bit of DIY gumption and interest in ding repair, then here's how you can resurrect your blade to a rideable state so you can surf the remainder of your trip, have the board back in your quiver for the next swell or hawk it on craigslist.

Joe Roper's Surfboard Repair is a San Diego surfing institution and local icon. Aside from charging La Jolla's outer reefs his whole life, Roper has been fixing, restoring, salvaging and reshaping surfboards back to sea-worthiness for over 40 years. He's masterfully fixed every type of damage ever inflicted upon the sacred craft, just take a look at his Instagram for examples. When it comes to foam and fiberglass, the man's a miracle worker. And in the video above, he imparts some of his ding repair wizardry.
Tools and supplies

If you're traveling, most of the materials needed to at least repair your buckled board to a rideable condition can be found in compact ding repair kits like this one.

Hopefully there's some type of boating industry nearby if you didn't pack a ding repair kit. These types of businesses will have fiberglass and resin supplies on hand for you to buy, barter or beg to use. They might even have power and an angle grinder that they'll be willing to loan you if you're lucky.

Surfboard glassing factories or industrial surfboard supply stores are great places to get supplies if you're at home or at a location with a surfboard industry. They'll have the supplies you'll need for a reasonable price and maybe they'll even toss you some scrap cloth to use for your patch job for a few bucks or a six pack.
Checklist:

Angle Grinder
Sandpaper (100 grit and 180 grit)
Sanding block
4 oz. fiberglass cloth
6 oz. fiberglass cloth
Scissors
Resin
Catalyst
Q-cell filler (cabosil or arosil)
Surfacing agent
Tongue depressor
Disposable cup
2" Brush
Squeegee
Acetone
Rag
Masking tape
Razorblade

[arthurbrownstein]

Super helpful. Buckled board repair by a surfing legend, Joe Roper. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge....

[nicholasgeorge]

Some really good advice here with the subtleties, leaving the foam dipped a little, using squeegee power to get max saturation with min resin and stuff like that. Thanks!

[stuarthayward]

Nice step by step demo! Still one of the best I've ever seen at Big Rock, back in the day! Seen you going off on a few guys that probably deserved it, I was just happy that aggression was never focused on me. Good to see you still look healthy and got a successful surf related business.

[ericschweitzer]

You are a real Craftsmen, thank you so much for sharing.

[chuckb]

Back in the day I fixed a couple of long boards by routing in stringers and glassing over. It was heavier, but the board never broke. Also wasn't trying to make the boards fly.

[ptrschick]

Thanks Joe, as a fellow glasses, I appreciate your technique.😊✌🏽

[artloveblues]

just perfect. thanks a bunch and a great concept to share these kinds of videos! stoked.

[surfing]

Camera person should have shown us what the actual damage looked like and showed us a direct angle/view of the work being done I stopped watching halfway through because that sideways angle may look cool aesthetically but it's not helpful to viewers trying to learn.

[jonathanmiller]

That squeegee looks awesome. What brand is it?

[MyMotherWasaNinja]

How much added weight does a repair like this add?

[ArthurDoesThings]

I've had nightmares of surfing and my board buckles lmao!

[paulhetherington]

It seems like, a camera fuse bulb reaction? Hence, it isn't a sponge. Fin boxes, would help, the crease, and, splits.

[Surfmus]

They forgot to mentioned is PU foam. Hence polyester resin, otherwise would be melting it it was an EPS foam.

[Follower]

I "creased"(buckled) my board yesterday! I was going to buy a new surfboard and put it aside and MAYBE fix it later on. But now I might take it to my trusty local ding repairer and I might be able to surf again without paying another $600+. The board I buckled was a $900 surfboard and I had it for only 7-8 months.

[hoveasy]

Nice video, one question, do you let the lam coat cure before doing hot coat ?

[hazwaz]

The stringer on my board has been split and damaged. Any suggestions.

[greglucero]

doing ding repair on your own boards is a humbling experience, if you want pro quality repair I suggest taking it to a pro.

[artloveblues]

does anybody know it the Resin can be the same for the Hotcoat as for the first layer of resin, only that you add the surfacing agent for the second layer resin batch?

[PA]

@190 lbs I did an air an actually landed it and buckled my favorite board in between the fins. Arghh... i'm 47 lol

[paulhetherington]

Six inches--tourniquet! Medical for trauma.