No matter how experienced you are as a snowboarder, accidents can happen. And sometimes, you’ll hit an obstacle on the mountain that can chip your edges. This might seem alarming, but luckily you can fix them up fairly quickly.
I’m a lifelong snowboarder who enjoys everything about the sport. I get out and ride as often as possible, and I’m also familiar with all of the basic home repair tasks that can help keep your board in good shape year in and year out.
This post will show you how to fix chipped snowboard edges. I’ll tell you what tools you need to get the job done and the steps to make sure you do it right. I’ll also provide you with some other tips and tricks to keep your board in good shape.
Let’s jump in.
Contents
Can Snowboard Chips Be Fixed?
Before we dive into the steps for fixing up chipped snowboard edges, it’s important to address whether the chips can even be fixed in the first place.
The answer to this is that it depends on the severity and location of the chip.
If the chips are small and minor, they can be pretty easy to repair. And if it’s a chip in the edge near the laminate of the board’s edges, epoxy can typically hold things together and keep your board on the mountain.
But if you completely blow an edge or are dealing with serious delamming, that’s another story. Repairing a broken edge is not really a task for the average snowboarder, and if you have one, you should take it into the shop.
If your board is delamming heavily, there isn’t always a lot that can be done. You’ll want to get ahead of things and try to get the laminates back together, but it might be time to get a new board, unfortunately.
How to Fix Chipped Edges
Here are the steps to follow if you want to fix chipped snowboard edges. Remember that there is a difference between chipped laminate and chipped edges in the metal.
Step 1: Assess the Damage
The first step is to take a look at your board and figure out the extent of the damage. If you only have a few small chips in the edges, you might not need to take any further action. Chips and dents in the metal or top sheet happen and aren’t a cause for alarm.
But if you have a broken edge or a significant dent that exposes the inner material of the board, you’ll want to take action. A broken edge requires you to take the board into the shop, but if you have a chip in the laminate, continue reading.
Step 2: Epoxy the Chips
All you need to do to get rid of the chips in the edges of your board is epoxy the edges. There are several different types of epoxy out there that you can use.
Use clear epoxy if you don’t want to cover up anything on the board. Or you can use a black epoxy if that’s the color of your board and you want it to blend in better.
Open up the epoxy tube and apply a small amount to each chip. You’ll want to use your finger or something else to wipe the epoxy around the fill-in the chips. Just make sure to clean up your hands quickly afterward before it dries.
Repeat the application of epoxy on any other chips that need it. Work your way along the entire length of the board until you get things filled in.
Step 3: Sand or Buff If Needed
If you put on too much epoxy, you might need to sand or buff down the repair to make it smooth. This is more for looks than anything else, but you also want to make sure that the epoxy doesn’t cover up the metal edge of your board, as that will affect performance.
Take a piece of sandpaper or a gummy stone and rub it over the epoxied area until it’s smooth and at the same level as the rest of the board. Take your time, so you don’t rub down onto the material that isn’t already epoxied.
How Do You Fix a Chipped Snowboard Top?
Fixing a chipped snowboard top is basically the same process as fixing the chipped edges. You need to fill in the chips with epoxy and then buff or sand them down until they are at the right level.
Always make sure to use an epoxy that blends in with the color of your board.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Snowboard?
The cost of a snowboard repair depends on the type of repair that is needed. If you just need to fix up a gouge in the base with Ptex or get chips epoxied, that will be cheaper and run you anywhere from $20-50 per repair.
But if you have a larger issue such as a core shot or blown edge, the repair might cost several hundred dollars.
You should always try to get a quote from the repair shop before committing to the repair if you are worried about costs. It pays to shop around, and sometimes, you can get a cheaper fix if you know someone who works at the shop.
Final Thoughts
Fixing chipped snowboard edges is pretty simple if you have epoxy and the time to get the job done right. You don’t need special equipment other than epoxy and something to sand it down with.
Remember that chipped top sheets and even edges aren’t always a big deal. If you have a small chip, it won’t affect how your board performs, so you don’t need to get it fixed right away, if at all.
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