Forums > Kitesurfing Foiling

Foil wing repair

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Created by Duff15 > 9 months ago, 16 Dec 2017
Duff15
VIC, 249 posts
16 Dec 2017 8:35PM
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Hey was out today and hit a submerged oject and felt a vibration in the board. Kept riding but at the end of the day i noticed this
any ideas on how to fix it? What products i need how to do it and quality brands?

thanks

Fly on da wall
SA, 725 posts
17 Dec 2017 4:29AM
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Just sand it smooth. It won't make any difference.

Duff15
VIC, 249 posts
17 Dec 2017 8:02AM
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Select to expand quote
Fly on da wall said..
Just sand it smooth. It won't make any difference.


No worries thanks, use wet and dry? Do i just sand the rough sections out or do i try and sand it rite back to its proper shape?

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
17 Dec 2017 11:18AM
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You don't say what brand or construction it is. If it's hollow carbon then you need to be a bit careful. If it's a cheap solid fibreglass then you can have at it without too much drama.

You've got a range of choices.

If you're still a beginner making beginner mistakes then just leave it, You'll probably do more damage before you're finished. You might want to smooth it off if it's sharp.

or

Sand it smooth. Use some coarse paper (180 grit) to get it generally smooth then finish off with 1200 or above. I always wet sand so I don't have to breathe the dust. Usually you can see a good enough shape emerging as you sand.

or

Build up the tip with a little epoxy/glass/carbon then sand. Get some thin glass cloth, or carbon cloth (about $5 on ebay). Chop it up into small fibres. Mix it in with some epoxy (Araldite is fine. West 6ten seems popular and has higher specs). Make a tape platform under the tip. Apply the epoxy mix. You could apply a very small piece of glass cloth onto the epoxy mix. Put tape or cling wrap on the top to hold it all in shape. Let it cure. Sand. Maybe do a bit of epoxy paste or filler or just plain epoxy to get a smoother finish. Sand. Spray paint if you want. Sand some more. Go kiting.

Plummet
4862 posts
17 Dec 2017 9:42AM
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Looks like a slingshot hoverglide?

Its on the brink of just sanding and building back up. I think maybe build it up as per gorgo's method.

Duff15
VIC, 249 posts
17 Dec 2017 2:21PM
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Select to expand quote
Gorgo said..

You don't say what brand or construction it is. If it's hollow carbon then you need to be a bit careful. If it's a cheap solid fibreglass then you can have at it without too much drama.

You've got a range of choices.

If you're still a beginner making beginner mistakes then just leave it, You'll probably do more damage before you're finished. You might want to smooth it off if it's sharp.

or

Sand it smooth. Use some coarse paper (180 grit) to get it generally smooth then finish off with 1200 or above. I always wet sand so I don't have to breathe the dust. Usually you can see a good enough shape emerging as you sand.

or

Build up the tip with a little epoxy/glass/carbon then sand. Get some thin glass cloth, or carbon cloth (about $5 on ebay). Chop it up into small fibres. Mix it in with some epoxy (Araldite is fine. West 6ten seems popular and has higher specs). Make a tape platform under the tip. Apply the epoxy mix. You could apply a very small piece of glass cloth onto the epoxy mix. Put tape or cling wrap on the top to hold it all in shape. Let it cure. Sand. Maybe do a bit of epoxy paste or filler or just plain epoxy to get a smoother finish. Sand. Spray paint if you want. Sand some more. Go kiting.


Thanks mate, its a slingshot hoverglide. Definitely a beginner. Ill sand or down and take it for a spin. If i notice anything ill use your method.

Duff15
VIC, 249 posts
19 Dec 2017 7:25AM
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I got a quote to professionally repair the wing (with carbon fiber) and color match $350. Is that fair?

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
19 Dec 2017 7:32AM
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Select to expand quote
Duff15 said..
I got a quote to professionally repair the wing (with carbon fiber) and color match $350. Is that fair?


no, I think that price is ridiculous for that repair. It's an easy and straight forward job. It might cost you 50 for material, but you will have that left for many repairs in the future. Tons of self help vids out there to guide you through the process if you are unsure.

Duff15
VIC, 249 posts
19 Dec 2017 8:15PM
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Select to expand quote
dafish said..

Duff15 said..
I got a quote to professionally repair the wing (with carbon fiber) and color match $350. Is that fair?



no, I think that price is ridiculous for that repair. It's an easy and straight forward job. It might cost you 50 for material, but you will have that left for many repairs in the future. Tons of self help vids out there to guide you through the process if you are unsure.


Thanks mate,

Do you know of a diy kit?

snalberski
WA, 857 posts
19 Dec 2017 6:49PM
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I repaired a foil wing and it's easy to do. The epoxy was a bote-cote sampler kit from Boat Craft. I also got a 4 colour (black white red blue)epoxy pigment kit (Barnes)from a craft store

Livit
WA, 542 posts
20 Dec 2017 9:45PM
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Select to expand quote
Duff15 said..
I got a quote to professionally repair the wing (with carbon fiber) and color match $350. Is that fair?


That's a $20 repair. $2-$3 of material 15 min labor

kitcho207
NSW, 861 posts
21 Dec 2017 1:30PM
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Yeah make sure the core material is sealed before putting it back in the water.

Duff15
VIC, 249 posts
21 Dec 2017 6:07PM
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Select to expand quote
kitcho207 said..
Yeah make sure the core material is sealed before putting it back in the water.


Do you mean the section that was damaged? Can i use surf wax

Fly on da wall
SA, 725 posts
22 Dec 2017 5:07AM
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Just tidy it up with sand paper and if you do the same to the otherside you won't even know! It's a bummer but it will get knocked around so just get out and ride it..

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
22 Dec 2017 11:02AM
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The main product I use for all kinds of repairs is PC-11 waterproof epoxy putty. It's not outrageously expensive. It keeps in the tube. It's easy to work. You can smooth it with metho, and it sands well.

www.pcepoxy.com/products/permanent-repair/pc-11-paste-epoxy/

Solarez works ok and is quick to harden. The various forms of Araldite are good too.

Araldite is stronger than PC-11 but it's not as easy to work with. West 6Ten is stronger again but costs more to buy.

If you want to add strength you can buy an A4 sheet of carbon fibre cloth from ebay for about $3.

Add in some sheets of 180 grit and 1200 grit wet and dry, some masking tape and a few icy pole sticks for mixing resin and you're all set to fix most dings in a foil.

I paint mine with Dulux Duramax. It cheap and dries quick and sands back quite well. That's better than sanding away your carbon and resin off your foil.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
22 Dec 2017 11:06AM
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PS The number one method of avoiding damage to your foil is to not be lazy. Stay in deep water. Body drag out and back. Find yourself a beach with sand.

The other thing is to avoid super light wind riding until you're a competent foiler. There's nothing worse than crashing your kite, getting separated from the board, and floating in. Your foil floats itself onto a reef and proceeds to bash itself to death on a rock as each wave passes.



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"Foil wing repair" started by Duff15