Once you get used to having fun with your paddleboard, there is no coming back. Well, paddleboards are pretty durable and long-lasting. However, if you use them for a long time or get in an accident while paddleboarding, your board might get damaged. So, you might be wondering, can paddle boards be repaired?
You can repair the damages such as cracks, scratches, and gauges of your paddleboard. You can fix your board yourself if it has minimal damages only. In other cases, you might need to get help from a professional or replace the board.
Though paddle boards have a long lifespan, they might require maintenance to sustain their aesthetics, efficiency, and functionality. To keep your board in good condition for a long time, you must take care of it and repair it properly.
So, in this article, I will discuss how you can repair your paddle board, along with some other information you might find helpful.
Should You Repair Or Replace Your Paddle Board?
If your paddle board has minor damage, you can try to repair it yourself. However, if the damage is massive, it is better to replace your paddleboard than waste money on repairing it, iRocker makes amazing high-quality options at awesome prices.
Well, it is possible to fix most scratches, cracks, and other minor damages yourself quickly. However, if it is anything more significant than that, you fail to repair it yourself, in that case, it would be best to seek help from a professional.
But if the damage is massive and it is impossible to give the board its old shape back, you should consider replacing it.
Moreover, if the fixing cost is almost half or more of the replacement cost, I would recommend you replace your board. It will be a better long-term investment.
How to Repair Your Paddle Board?
To repair your paddleboard, you have to clean it first. After that, you have to inspect the damage, remove compression screws, and fix it according to the damage. Besides, you can use an epoxy repair kit and sand the surface to hide the repaired area.
However, not all the damages have the same solution. So, let’s discuss how to repair different types of damages that might occur on your paddleboard:
Crack
The most common damage that can happen to paddleboards is cracking. You might not worry about small cracks in your board. But if you don’t repair them, it can lead to worse damage. Cracks can cause the board to absorb water, which will require you to replace the board.
The simple method to fix a little crack in a paddleboard is to apply epoxy resin to the affected region. For repairing a crack, first, clean the board and let the board dry and then do the following steps:
Step 1: Apply epoxy resin to the cracked areas.
Step 2: Leave the board outside in sunlight for a few hours to let the resin set. . (Before allowing the resin to set, fill the crack and wipe any excess resin away)
Step 3: Apply a second layer of resin and keep the board outside to let it dry again.
Step 4: After completely setting the resin, erase all the lumps by sanding the spots.
You can use a paintbrush to apply epoxy resin. However, it would be best to fill the area with resin using a popsicle stick for a wider crack.
Deep Dent
If your paddleboard has a deep and thick dent, only following the steps of repairing a crack won’t help. You can purchase an epoxy kit that includes everything or collect all the materials differently. Then, scrape away any projecting material and sand the area, leaving no sharp edges.
After that, following the directions on the paddleboard repair kit, gently mix everything. As the dent is deep, apply fillers first and fill it with resin. Cover the dent with packing tape so it will be smooth and easy to sand. Once the area is dry, sand the board with sandpaper, and your job is done.
Scratch
While you are out on the water, it is normal to get scratches on your board frequently. The good news is repairing small scratches is very easy. You have to only apply a small bit of toothpaste to the scratch and wipe it away with a soft cloth.
However, repairing deep scratches is more like repairing cracks or dents. You have to fill the scratched area with resin, level it evenly, and remove any extra resins with care.
Don’t forget to treat scratches right away before they worsen so that you don’t have to pay a lot of money to fix them.
Fading
Generally, the color of your paddle board will start to fade with time. It happens due to various reasons. But the main reason for the faded color is UV rays.
You can easily fix the problem of fading as it is just a cosmetic issue. For solving it, you can apply paint or coating to your paddle board and give it back its previous look.
Leak in Inflatable Paddle Boards
You would need a patch, scissors, glue, and a marker main for repairing the leak in your inflatable paddleboard. Collect the materials and follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Find the source of the leak and wash the punctured spot and dry it thoroughly.
- Step 2: With your black marker pen, draw a circle around the spot.
- Step 3: Clean the patch and cut it to the correct size.
- Step 4: Spread glue to the patch and inside the marked area.
- Step 5: Wait for five to ten minutes to let it dry.
- Step 6: Now put the patch on the marked area with caution, and press it to level it out and get rid of any air bubbles.
- Step 7: Remove any extra glue and keep the paddle board in sunlight for a day.
If you fail to repair the leak yourself, rather than messing with it, take the paddleboard to a professional.
How Long Do Paddle Boards Last?
If you use it regularly, a high-quality inflatable paddleboard can last up to 5 years. On the other hand, hard paddle boards can last about 6-8 years if you maintain them properly.
The truth is that how often you use your paddle board and how you take care of it determines how long it will last. All paddleboards, however, come with a warranty, which guarantees that your board will last at least as long as your warranty.
Well, generally, they come with a 2-5 years warranty, depending on the quality and brand of the paddle board.
But, if the paddleboards get defective because of your poor maintenance, the warranty won’t work here. So, only if you take proper care of your paddleboard and repair it frequently, can you expect your paddleboard to last for a long time.
Tips to Care for Your Paddle Board
It is better to take proper care of your paddleboard so they don’t get damaged often. So, here are a few tips to care for your paddleboard:
- Don’t forget to clean your paddle board with fresh water after each use. You can also apply mild soap to wash the board if you want.
- Don’t use your board out in the sun if the temperature is too high. It can cause damage to your paddleboard.
- Avoid shallow water paddling and rocky areas.
- Store the paddleboard in a cool, dry location away from sharp objects.
- Check the board for dents, cracks, scrapes, and scratches frequently so that you can repair them at an early stage before the damage gets severe.
Conclusion
So, can paddle boards be repaired? Yes they can. But, as you’ve learned by now, it really depends on the type of damage you’re working with.
Different sorts of damages require different approaches. In this article, I’ve talked about some of the most common ones and provided directions on how you can fix them. So, fixing them should be easy for you now.
Thanks for giving me the time to read my article till the end. I sincerely hope I was able to help you fix your paddle board. Have a nice day.