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Soft spot bottom of Sunova board

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Created by Gboots > 9 months ago, 28 Nov 2020
Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
28 Nov 2020 1:46PM
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Noticed a soft spot on underside of Sunova board this morning . Wouldn't be surprised if it has been there for a session or two. Has anyone had experience with these and how to best repair .
I can definitely push in so it is "squishy". Slightly raised along the scrape line which about length of my thumb . May have hit rock or similar on shore break

I will most likely take it in for repair but wouldn't mind knowing if any one else has had similar damage on underside and how they repaired .

Also if I covered it with ding tape could i still use in the interim without further damage to that spot ?











Tardy
4919 posts
28 Nov 2020 1:28PM
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Hey boots ,i would be light sanding it ,then a brush with resin ,if you think it leaking ..then light sand with 400 to get it back to low sheen
from gloss .can add light cloth if its real soft ...west system resin

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
28 Nov 2020 5:48PM
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Thanks Tardy . What about the "squishiness" ? is that just bruising ?

tarquin1
931 posts
28 Nov 2020 3:35PM
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Looks like its wet to me. Slightly darker area. Maybe a pin hole leak. I think you need to dry the balsa out. Balsa is great until it gets wet. Then it becomes sponge. Maybe try the soapy water test to see if you have a leak.

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
28 Nov 2020 6:46PM
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Select to expand quote
Thanks Tarquin
Here is a photo under fluoro light . Shows damage better


rattlinbones
WA, 43 posts
28 Nov 2020 3:58PM
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Definitely leaking water into the balsa as you can see the discolouration surrounding the crack.
If it was mine I would take it back to the balsa - sand/grind the glass away, let it dry out for a week or more then re-glass with a few different size patches.
Easier to fix than this.




Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
28 Nov 2020 7:19PM
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Yeah....not a good look. I have contacted a local repairer / board maker who has fixed Sunovas before . He is flat out but did suggest leaving with him for a month to dry out so I think this what I will be doing .
Another good reason to have a quiver . You need at least 3

Tardy
4919 posts
28 Nov 2020 4:49PM
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Gboots said..
Thanks Tardy . What about the "squishiness" ? is that just bruising ?


I reckon it is ...a rock ? i would sit it in the sun for a day ,and let it dry for 1-2 weeks ...then if its soft .which you said it is ..add cloth

my 9,1 acid looks like it been through WW2 now ..ripped both fins out ...(rocks ) still going ......

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
28 Nov 2020 7:52PM
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A rock is what I am also thinking . Might take it to repairer and get it done right (subject to price ). The XXX tec sunovas are like gold these days

Its my first real board so need to look after her

justaddwater
NSW, 674 posts
28 Nov 2020 9:14PM
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Select to expand quote
rattlinbones said..
Definitely leaking water into the balsa as you can see the discolouration surrounding the crack.
If it was mine I would take it back to the balsa - sand/grind the glass away, let it dry out for a week or more then re-glass with a few different size patches.
Easier to fix than this.





Ah sunova !!! The proof of quality just keeps on giving I feel for the people who keep buying this brand .

AgBak
24 posts
28 Nov 2020 7:23PM
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Just so you are aware balsa will "bruise" when hit. The discoloration may not disappear after drying out and repair. The soft spot will be where the impact has broken the laminations

Both are really easy repairs. Bert has covered the process in his "how too" video's.

I have an older flow that got ripped from the roof of an RV by a big tree branch. It looked f@$ked, but with a bit of care and attention is as good as new, but the balsa shows the scars.

colas
4986 posts
28 Nov 2020 8:05PM
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Tardy said..
i would sit it in the sun for a day


Leaving a board in the sun is a recipe for disaster. For instance, delaminations can happen as early as 15mn in the sun, if the board is black and their is no wind.

Never leave a board directly in the sun. I put a sheet on them when I want to heat them in the sun to dry them.

Tardy
4919 posts
29 Nov 2020 4:28AM
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Select to expand quote
Gboots said..

Thanks Tarquin
Here is a photo under fluoro light . Shows damage better





looking at that I DON'T reckon you've got water in it .

tarquin1
931 posts
29 Nov 2020 5:14AM
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Difficult to say from pics. I would say the second pic looks worse than the first. If its soft in that area its not great.
Does anyone know if there is a layer of glass between the foam and balsa.

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
29 Nov 2020 12:23PM
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Just an update .....
I went to a specialist Balsa board producer this morning . Has a great rep. Very honest guy.
He had a look at this and another soft spot that has been near rail for three years (which I have covered with two layers of rail tape. btw Bert saw pics of this and "endorsed" and I have had no issues since) . He told me what he could do to repair but suggested that I do not do anything for now except put a large piece of ding tape over .
He didn't not think discoloration was due to water ingress because it went long length of board .
To fix probably would need to open and dry out for month (if there was any water in there in the first place which we wasn't convinced there was ) and put in a new "plank" of balsa . Very honest man and glad I got to meet him

BTW soft he reckons is from knee / rock / other hitting it . Similar to what i have done to front . Here is a pic of front "bruise". No issues for three years since using rail tape approach






tarquin1
931 posts
29 Nov 2020 2:29PM
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Good news.



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"Soft spot bottom of Sunova board" started by Gboots