If you snowboard long enough, it’s inevitable that at some point, you will hit a rock or other obstacle and damage the bottom of your board. But if you know how to apply Ptex, you’ll be able to fix it up in no time.
I’m an avid snowboarder with decades of experience in the snow. I know the importance of properly maintaining a snowboard and have learned basic repair skills to keep my boards in excellent shape.
This post will show you how to Ptex a snowboard. I’ll tell you what materials you need to get the job done and the steps to get your board fixed up.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
When to Use Ptex on a Snowboard?
Ptex is a somewhat heavy-duty fix. It’s much more rugged and durable than wax and is essentially made of the same or similar plastics as the base material of your board.
If you only have a slight scratch or gouge on your board, you don’t really need to use Ptex. You can either ignore it or fill it back up with wax when you apply more at some point in the near future.
But if you get a massive gouge that is about midway through your board or less, Ptex is an easy fix that will keep you riding strong pretty quickly.
If you get a terrible gouge that hits the core of your board, or one that is near the edge, it’s probably best to take the board to a snowboard shop to get things fixed. You don’t want to mess things up even worse, and unless you have experience, that’s easy to do.
How Do You Fix a PTEX on a Snowboard?
If you look at the bottom of your board and realize it’s time for some new Ptex, follow the steps below to help you fix things up.
What You’ll Need:
- Base cleaner
- Scaper
- Ptex
- Torch
- Wire Brush
- Utility Knife or Razor Blade
Step 1: Prep the Board
You need to get your snowboard ready for Ptex before applying the material in the gouge or scratch.
Place your board upside down on a table or bench. You might need to prop up the board to make it flat, and you can do this by stacking a few books or boards on either side of the bindings.
Step 2: Clean the Problem Area
With your board in position, it’s time to assess the problem area and clean it up in preparation for applying Ptex.
Take a look at the hole, scratch, or gouge, and clean up any dirt or debris inside or around the area. You can use a clean cloth to get rid of dirt or a razor blade or scraper to deal with any debris.
Base cleaner is always a good idea and will help prep the base for proper adhesion of the Ptex.
Step 3: Turn on the Torch and Apply Ptex
Once your board is cleaned up, it’s time to apply the Ptex. You’ll need to turn on your torch, whether that’s a propane or butane style option.
Put the flame of the torch on one end of the Ptex stick until it starts to flame. This can take longer than you think, so just be patient.
Once it’s flaming, the stick will start to drip. You want to allow these drips of melted Ptex to fill up the hole that needs to be fixed on your board.
Hold the candle over the area needing Ptex and move back and forth until the hole is completely filled. Going a bit over the top of the hole is okay because you’ll be scraping things back down in the next step.
After the hole is filled up, let the Ptex cool for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Scape and Wax
Once the Ptex has cooled, you need to scrape away any excess material that sits over the top of the base.
Take your metal scraper and hold it at a 45-degree angle to the board. Using short but firm strokes, run the scraper over the area until the Ptex repair is at the same level as the rest of the base.
Then you need to wax up the area or your entire board to get everything ready to go back out onto the slopes.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relating to how to Ptex a snowboard.
Can you get scratches out of a snowboard?
If the scratches aren’t very deep, they should be pretty easy to get rid of. For minor scratches, you can use wax to fill in the grooves and then wax or buff them out. For deeper scratches, you’ll need to use Ptex.
Do you need to wax after PTEX?
Yes, you should wax your snowboard after you apply Ptex. Ptex will fix up the gouge in your board and help protect the core from getting damaged by moisture. But you need to apply wax on top of it to get proper slide on the snow.
How do you scrape PTEX?
To scrape Ptex, you’ll need a sharp metal scraper. Run the scraper down the section of the board with the Ptex fix at a 45-degree angle. Repeat the scraping motion until the fix is at an equal level as the rest of the board’s base.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to Ptex a snowboard can save you money on repairs and help you keep your board in good working condition, even if you end up hitting a rock or other obstacle.
It can take some time to get used to doing a Ptex fix, but with a bit of patience and experience, you’ll be able to handle home snowboard repairs in a hurry.
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