How to Fix an Air Bubble in a Bodyboard

Bodyboards are the same as surf boards in that they have a core that is "glassed" over for waterproofing reasons. After time in water, especially saltwater, the glassing can separate from the surface of the bodyboard's core. This is called delamination and will result in an air bubble between the surface of the board's core and the glassing. Luckily, this is something that can be repaired by almost any bodyboard owner.

Things You'll Need

  • Large needle
  • Epoxy
  • Sandpaper
  • Razor
  • Finish resin
  • Tape (waterproof and for use with epoxy)
  • Finishing resin
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Instructions

  1. Small Air Bubble

    • 1

      Puncture the surface of the bodyboard with a large needle. The puncture should only reach just below the outer coating and the core of the board. The epoxy will need to be injected between these two areas.

    • 2

      Insert the tube of the epoxy bottle into the hole created by the needle.

    • 3

      Squeeze the epoxy tube to insert the epoxy into the air bubble forcing out the air and filling the space with epoxy.

    • 4

      Remove the epoxy tube from the hole in the bodyboard.

    • 5

      Smooth and flatten the area with your hands so that it is flush and aligned with the rest of the bodyboard.

    Large Air Bubble

    • 6

      Sand the surface of the area containing the air bubble and an area slightly surrounding it with sandpaper.

    • 7

      Cut just inside the perimeter of the air bubble with a razor. Cut just the glassing, or lamination of the bodyboard, and not the core. Cut the cloth covering also if one exists.

    • 8

      Squeeze a bead of epoxy to the bottom of the cut-out piece and the exposed core surface of the bodyboard.

    • 9

      Put the piece back on the board.

    • 10

      Tape the perimeter of the cut with waterproof tape.

    • 11

      Allow the epoxy to dry thoroughly. Dry epoxy will be hard and not tacky to the touch. The cut-out should not move.

    • 12

      Sand the area with sandpaper until it is flush with the rest of the board.

    • 13

      Apply finishing resin over the surface of the repaired area with a clean paintbrush. Allow the resin to dry until it is hard, smooth and not tacky to the touch.