advice on relaminating a delaminated deck

General Discussion
1

Hi folks,

A word of advice if you may. My 6 8 thruster, which I bought second hand learn to surf, was left out in the sun by the previous owner and so the top rear half of the deck has bubbled and causing some serious delamination issues. I have experience with fiberglass so will give a repair a go on my own. My thinking is stripping and relaminating the rear top third of the board, which shouldn’t be too dificult because the air pockets are so large that there isn’t much adhesion left between foam and fiberglass. So my questions are: first should I remove the glass right to the bottom of the rails or maybe only half way down (thinking about strength)? Should I reinforce the rails with an extra strip od glass say 2 inches wide? Also, do I really need to fill in the top of the foam with resin and Q cell to make the surface smooth because the board is no thing of beauty so I am really only concerned in making it funcional and water tight. Last I guess, I am thinking 2 layers of 4 ounce, then sand and no hot coat because the rest of the board doesn’t have any shine so doubt it was hot coasted. Is there a reason I should not leave it “naked”? I think this board would be categorized as a semi gun as it’s long but very narrow at max 18 inches and it’s thin. If I can make it seaworthy I could get use out of it on the occasional big days.

Thanks to all,

T

2

I would cut away the delam area only, and glass over it, overlap onto good glass by an inch all around (rough up the glass around the perimeter of the delam with some 100 grit).  I'd go 6 and 4 if you have it, rather than 4 and 4.  Sand and feather the edges.  Hot coat yes absolutely, gloss coat optional.  I wouldn't build it up, its the deck, its gonna get pressure dings anyway from use, and you're not worried about cosmetics.  Wouldn't worry about the rails either unless they're delammed also.  Surf it and have fun!