If you do a lot of skiing or snowboarding each season, then you probably know the advantages of owning your skis or snowboards. First of all, you will save lots of time and money compared to renting. But the best part of owning skis or board is that when you buy them you get to pick out the ones that are right for you.
So what happens when you damage your favorite pair of skis or board? Don’t feel bad, it happens to everyone. You hit some rocks or a tree and maybe gouge the bottom or you begin to see some delamination.
So, what kind of epoxy should you use for ski or snowboard repair? Take a look at this review below.
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Who Should Get This?
Every skier or snowboarder at one time or another begins to see damage to their equipment. And if you don’t just stick to the typical groomed runs, you’re bound to find a few rocks, a stump, a tree, or who knows what else, that does some kind of damage to your gear.
Thankfully skis or snowboards can often be repaired and you have a good chance of saving them. If you have the time and the money you may decide on taking them to the local shop to get repaired.
This isn’t a bad idea, most shops do a great great job and make quality repairs, but if you don’t have the money or don’t want your slides out of commission for a lengthy time, you may decide to make the repair yourself.
If you are like me, you may just prefer taking the DIY route because you enjoy learning new skills and being able to repair things on your own. You may also have a basic distrust of people working on your equipment.
Whatever the case may be, you’ll want to make sure you have a good epoxy. Even if you don’t currently need any repairs to your skis or boards, it’s probably a good idea to keep some epoxy with your gear.
Best Epoxy for Ski/Snowboard Repair: Top Picks
Have no idea how to choose? The following options will inspire you.
Strongest Option: West System 650-8 G/Flex
This is a liquid epoxy that is versatile and strong. It can be used on wet surfaces and even underwater if needed.
What we like:
- Strong bond.
- It can be used on almost any material.
- Flexible.
- Great for cool temperatures.
What we don’t like:
- Mixing and applying can be a little messy.
Best for Wet Conditions: AquaMend Underwater Putty Stick 4
This is a great putty that is easy to mix and very easy to shape and apply. As with all the others on this list, it will provide a strong and durable bond.
What we like:
- Very easy to mix with no mess.
- Very easy to shape and apply.
- It can bond in moist and wet conditions.
What we don’t like:
- May have trouble sticking to some materials.
How to Choose the Best Epoxy for Ski or Snowboard Repair
Check out the factors below before your purchase.
Strength
One of the most important features to look for is strength. It will need to hold together in the extreme snow conditions. Not only will it take a pounding, but it will need to be able to handle a good range of temperature changes from very cold to warm and back to cold again.
Flexibility
While strength is important to hold the repair together, it is also important to have some flexibility. Skis or snowboards will bend and flex and the repair needs to be able to do the same, if not it will eventually crack and it won’t hold up.
Moldability
Whether it is a paste or a putty, you need to be able to mold or spread it into the area that needs to be repaired and you need to have time to work with it before it dries or sets up.
Cure Time
We often think that it is good to have a fast cure time. It means a quicker repair, but quicker is not always better. With most epoxies, a quicker cure time usually leads to a more brittle and less flexible repair which will end up cracking or breaking up.
Quick cure times are good if you need an emergency repair so you can get back out on the slopes, but for long-term fixes, look for products that have a long cure time, they will create a longer-lasting repair job.
Waterproof
Most of these adhesives are waterproof which is important. Make sure that the one you choose is waterproof. You want to keep water from getting into the repaired site otherwise your ski or snowboard will deteriorate over time from moisture damage.
Many of these can also be mixed and applied in water or very damp conditions which can be important if you have to make a quick repair outside in the snow.
Ease of Use
Most all of these substances will require mixing before use and depending on the type, may or may not be easy to apply. You may want to consider how easy it is to use. Some come with injectors that dispense equal amounts of the two chemicals together. Some are in a putty form which makes it easier to combine and apply.
You should also look for a substance that is moldable, sandable, and machinable. You will probably need to shape, smooth, and finish the repair before you can begin skiing or snowboarding again.
Useful Resources
Epoxy can be used to do many types of repairs to your skis. Here are a couple of examples. Take a look at this video to see an example of how to do a delamination repair.
If you are a snowboarder, check out this video on how to fix the snowboard edges with epoxy.
Final Words
If you are a person who likes to do your own ski/snowboard repairs, then epoxy is definitely one of the supplies that you should keep in your toolbox. It is a versatile substance that can be used for both temporary and permanent repairs.
Hopefully, our list can help you find the epoxy you need to keep your favorite pair of skis or snowboards in action.
