How Much Does a Surfboard Ding Repair Cost?

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How much does surfboard ding repair cost to fix.

For many, getting out onto the water for a surf session is both exciting and calming all at once. But that quickly dissolves when you find that your surfboard has been dented during your trip—and it’s not something you should ignore. What can you do to fix it? Is it something you can do yourself?

How much does a surfboard ding cost to fix?

Dings, Gashes, or Holes: $40 – $75, depending on the number and size of the repair

Delamination: $100 – $140, or by estimate

Broken Nose or Tail: $50 – $140

Buckling: $80 – $180

Breaking: up to $200

Fin Damage: $55 – $120, depending on the fin style

Costs vary from shop to shop, and many may require you to bring in your board before they make a total estimate. Costs also can vary based on the size of your board: whether you have a longboard or a shortboard.

But how does the board get damaged, and are there any ways to prevent that damage from happening? Before you take it in to a shop, can you make any fixes yourself? Read on to find out more.

How does a board get damaged?

One of the most common ways that a surfboard gets damaged is by dings from pressure or compression that is simply caused by you using the board. These dings are usually little dents along the deck of the surfboard, usually located where your body weight hits the most—where your knees and feet land, along with your chest.

Other issues include cracks and chipping along the rail, nose, or tail, which usually come as a result of either transporting, letting it sit out into the sun too long, or as an escalation of an already existing ding.

Cracks can also lead to delamination—when the board is left out in the heat too long and is already damaged, the resin or fiberglass can start to separate from the foam, leaving bubbles on the board.

Yellowing, although typically just sun damage, can sometimes result from water damage—if you see yellowing spots, make sure to check for some sort of ding or crack that may have caused it.

Structural damage to the board and the fins is also a possibility that would require repair. If your board starts to buckle, it could snap in half near the middle, near your feet, or at the nose.

Because epoxy boards, longboards, or other types usually cost more, the numbers are based on polystyrene boards, as they are the industry standard at this point. If you have a different type of board, that will usually increase the price.

Dings, Gashes, or Holes

These repairs usually lead to a larger problem if not addressed, so they will run you typically between $40 and $75, depending on the size of the ding. Many shops will have a graduated scale of pricing based on the size. If you have multiple dings, gashes, or holes, many shops run specials on getting those fixed at one price.

Delamination

Delamination will cost between $100 and $140. Some shops won’t give you an estimate before seeing the board, so depending on the shop you take it to, they may want to look over the board before providing a number.

Do you know how to fix a surfboard ding on the rail? Learn more here.

Structural Damage

A broken nose or broken tail usually will run you between $50 and $140 for a repair.

If your board buckles, you will have to pay between $80 and $180 depending on whether the board buckles on one side or both and the size of the board.

If it breaks completely, you’ll have up to $200 to pay to fix your board. It also depends on the length of your board; shortboards typically cost less than fixing a longboard.

Issues with the fin depends on the style, but usually will cost between $55 and $140, depending on the shop. It also depends on the style of your fin and the size of your board, so make sure you note that before heading into the shop of your choice.

How can I prevent the dings from happening in the first place?

Preventing dings may not always be possible, but you can protect your board by adding more resin to the surface. While this does make it less susceptible to dings, it will also make your board less flexible and heavier.

Another way to prevent the dings from happening is by getting and using a board that is sturdy in its design. You can choose between polyurethane and expanded polystyrene foam for the base of the surfboard—the surfboard blank—and from there, have it covered with either fiberglass, polyester, epoxy resin, or a mixture to create the hard surface.

Polyurethane boards may be the most flexible, but that also means they are the most susceptible to sustaining damage. The expanded polystyrene foam is lighter but requires additional cost and work depending on the size of the ding.

Waxing your board regularly may not be able to prevent the dings from happening, but that kind of focus can bring your attention to smaller imperfections in your board, which you can fix yourself before they get any worse.

Can I fix it myself?

There are some issues with your board that you could fix yourself, specifically dings in your board. Complete ding repair kits exist, but the main tool you need is some sort of filler for a larger hole or ding. Many use a product such as Q-Cell, a resin filler used specifically for surfboards. Solarez is another resin filler option that cures under direct sunlight.

You may also need some sort of fiberglass cloth to cover the exposed foam or filled in a hole. Recovering the damage with fiberglass cloth will also help to strengthen the area from later damage.

If you are interested in fixing the issue yourself, you can also find those specialized repair kits from a local surf shop, along with advice from an expert about how to best service your board at home.

Fixing the ding yourself may be cheaper, but it could also leave your board susceptible to additional issues. If you are not confident in your work, bringing it to an expert will make sure that the board is fixed. Regardless of the cost, find a shop that you trust in your area, and you can get back on the water in no time!