PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Cleaning Your Board

We want to remind you that cleaning the surfboard with chemical solvents such as methylated spirits, turpentine or paint thinner can cause damage to the surface and finish of the board. These chemicals can break down the resin and cause discoloration, deterioration, and even delamination of the board if solvents enter via cracks, shatters or pin holes. Therefore, we strongly advise against using these types of solvents.

Instead, we recommend using a mild cleaning solution such as Windex, which is commonly used for cleaning glass. Windex is a safe and effective way to clean the surface of the board without causing any damage or degradation. Simply spray the solution onto a soft cloth and wipe the board gently in a circular motion.

The Sun Is A Killer

The sun will damage your surfboard with both its harmful UV rays and heat so make sure you find shade in a cool place to store your board. When sitting at the beach make sure to cover your board and keep it out of the heat.

If your board gets too much intense, direct sunlight in the summer it will cause the board to overheat and delaminate. Delamination is when the outer skin seperates from the inner foam core resulting in bubble like defects on the outer skin. Epoxy is very strong but when exposed to the sun for long periods of time it will begin to fade and yellow which can reduce its resale value.

Don’t Leave Your Surfboard in Your Hot Car or on the Roof

For the reasons stated above, you don’t want your board to get too hot. One of the most common causes of delamination is when boards are left in the car on a hot summer’s day. Never leave your board in or on a hot car. The best way to avoid your board over heating if it is on a car roof is to invest in a good quality board bag with a reflective outer layer.

Use a Surfboard Bag

Investing in a board bag for your surfboard is a critical step in protecting your surfboard. The last thing anyone wants is a ding on their fresh shredstick and given that most dings happening during transit or storage, a decent board bag is the best way to prevent that. A standard 5mm padded bag is perfect for general storage, use on a roof rack. When traveling, make sure to use a certified travel bag that is well padded, waterproof with locking zippers. Make sure when traveling to always remove your fins and keep them outside of the bag as loose fins can damage your board when in transit. It is very important to rinse off your board before placing it in a board bag as the combination of salt entrapped in a board bag has proven to cause blisters and blemishes over time.

Rinse Your Surfboard After Each Surf

Salt is very corrosive and whilst epoxy is pretty tough, if you leave salt water and sand on your board repeatedly, this will eventually do some damage to your board and your fin boxes. It is important to rinse of all your kit and dry it thoroughly after each surf to ensure your board remains good as new for as long as possible. 

Wax Management (Wax is Toxic to the Environment) 

Keeping your board clean might not make its life longer, but cleaning it incorrectly will do a lot of damage. Never use harsh chemicals or metal tools to clean or de-wax your board. The proper way to de-wax your surfboard is with a plastic “wax comb”. We recommend simply using a hairdryer to heat it up and let the wax get soft, then gently scrape it off. If you’re committed to getting every spec of wax off, we recommend applying some flour to the surface of your board and rubbing the remaining wax off with a rag or your wax comb. You can use a citrus-based cleaning product for a finishing shine.

Leaving your surfboard on the beach wax up means the wax will melt! Not good for your surfing nor the environment when it ends up in the sand.

Melting wax is not great when the wind blows up a load of fresh sand and it all gets stuck on your deck either. Sand on your deck can cause lots of small surface scratches so try to avoid ripping the first layers of your knees off when pushing under.

Where possible we always suggest purchasing traction for your board instead of wax, these are an eco-friendlier option and they also offer another layer of protection for your board.

Do not Ride a Damaged Board

Don’t ride your board if you damage it in the water. It’s important that you get a damaged surfboard out of the water as soon as possible. If any water seeps into your board and saturates the foam core, you’re looking at some serious damage.

Repairing Your Board

Repair kits are great for small dings in a pinch. But if you’re serious about keeping your board in tip-top shape, you need to get professional help. A surfboard repair shop will fix your board with the same epoxy resin that was used to make it. Real repair shops can color match your paint and get your board looking like it’s new again.