How to Repair Your Bodyboard in Four Simple Steps

If you’re an avid bodyboarder, you've likely experienced some kind of bodyboard deterioration. Luckily, you can repair your bodyboard in just a few minutes.

Whether it be from reefs, rocks, sun deterioration, collisions with other people’s boards, or hitting the ocean floor, bodyboards can get pretty banged up pretty quick. 

Luckily, we’re here to help.

The majority of bodyboard dings can be fixed quickly and easily -- in just a few simple steps.

So let's dive right in and help you fix your board, so you can get back out there!

It'll only take a few minutes - we promise.

Method 1: Hot Glue Repair

If your board’s base hits up against rocks or reef, it can easily get cracked or damaged.

With hot glue and a putty knife, you can quickly seal the perforation and continue to rip the waves!

This method works best for cracks in the base of your board, or to reattach any peeling corners.

Step 1: Dry and Clean Your Board

The first step is to dry your board completely.

If you just hopped out of the ocean and noticed a notch in your bodyboard, it isn’t best to repair it right away.

Dry your board off with a clean towel, and let the inside and outside of the board dry.

Don't set it out in the sun, either, as this can lead to some bubbles over time.

Ensure that you've wiped all of the sand and dirt off of the area you will be repairing.

Dirt and moisture can cause the seal not to stick properly, so make sure the area's clean and ready to go before attempting any repairs.

Step 2: Hot Glue

The next step is to warm up a hot glue gun and squirt the glue in and around the cracked area.

Make sure that you get it inside of the cracks.

The foam on the inside may absorb the glue, so keep applying as necessary until it coats it all.

Step 3: Scrape

The third step is to scrape the excess glue off with a putty knife.

Do this quickly, as hot glue begins to cure immediately.

Scrape the area and smooth out the glue.

And don't worry about perfection - this repair doesn't need to be absolutely perfect.

As long as it's covering the affected area, it'll make a good seal.

If you've got a peeling rail, now's the time to fix that up as well.

Apply some glue on the back side of it, and use the putty knife to smooth everything out.

Step 4: Weigh It Down

The final step is to place something heavy on the area where you glued.

Weighing it down is only necessary if you are repairing the corner of the board.

Set something heavy on top to push the two layers together, and let it sit for about an hour to cure completely.

I like to use a heavy book, or, if not available, a beach bag.

After it dries, you can run a piece of smooth-grit sandpaper over it to smooth it out if necessary.

Method 2: Sponge Rez Bodyboard Repair

This method is similar to the one we just described, but instead of using hot glue, we'll be using Sponge-Rez.

Sponge Rez is a flexible resin that dries and hardens in the sun.

It's kind of like hot glue, but more tailored towards boards.

With this method, Steps 1-4 are the same, but you squeeze the Sponge-Rez into the damaged area instead of hot glue.

This resin is excellent because it doesn't cure as quickly as hot glue, so you've got a bit more time to work it into the affected site and smooth everything out.

As long as you are not in the sun, the Sponge Rez will remain malleable. 

Once you're done, it's time to leave your board in a cool, dry area for about 30 minutes and wait for the resin to seal and harden.

Once everything's all cured, check the resin.

If you find any areas where it's spiky or sharp, use a bit of low-grit sandpaper to smooth it all down.

How to Fix a Bubble on a Bodyboard

Air bubbles can form on the top of a board from sand or just being out in the sun too long.

Saltwater can be really degrading to boards with sunlight.

Once you're done with this repair, check out some tips on bodyboard care here.

Although bubbles are annoying, they don't cause any damage as long as they remain sealed. And most of the time, they won't get in the way of your ride, either.

If you notice a bubble on your board, it's best to leave it alone if it's small.

If it gets bigger and water gets into it, this will require a quick repair.

Additionally, if it's just annoying to you - no worries! It's a relatively quick fix.

Step 1: Dry and Clean Your Board

As mentioned above, it's crucial to get all sand, dirt, and moisture off the repair area.

Wipe your Boogie Board thoroughly with a towel and leave it in a cool, dry area to dry completely.

Step 2: Cut the Bubble

The second step is to take a razor blade or small knife and gently cut an X shape through the bubble, making sure not to slice through the foam underneath.

Peel back the corners of the coating.

Notice if any foam has risen, and use your blade to shave it smooth again.

If no foam has risen - even better! No shaving needed. You can move onto the next step.

Step 3: Hot Glue

Now it's time to use some bodyboard repair glue - either hot glue or Sponge-Rez - underneath the cut area.

When doing so, choose between either hot glue or Sponge-Rez, but never superglue.

Stronger adhesives can eat away at your board's foam core, and leave you with a more damaged board than you began with. 

Once you've got your glue picked out, spread a thin layer of hot glue all around on both the board and the layers you peeled back.

Next, press all four corners of the X back into place.

Quickly wipe away any excess glue that got on top of the board.

Then, press the flaps of the X down for a few seconds so that the glue can begin to cure.

Step 4: Weigh It Down

Set something heavy over the glued area and allow it to dry completely.

When you remove the weight, you may need to add another a layer of glue over the lines of the X again.

After it's all sealed, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any imperfections out.

Conclusion

If you've damaged your bodyboard in any way, it's good to try to repair your bodyboard right away.

Saltwater that penetrates the body of your board will eventually deteriorate it and lead to an unusable bodyboard. 

Luckily, repairs are easy and quick!

Most cracks usually only require some type of bodyboard repair glue, and a couple minutes to fix them.

So next time your bodyboard takes a heavy hit, you won’t need to sweat it!