Fin Repair

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Pel
Pel
WA
66 posts
Pel Pel
WA, 66 posts
6 May 2011 9:20am
Hi all

I'm thinking about repairing my FSW fin, but have no idea on where to start. Can I use epoxy or do I need to fibreglass it? Any advice would be great.

Here's some pics:





Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
WA, 7733 posts
6 May 2011 9:44am
Sand it back and don't worry about it... You might be better investing your time buying a nice new one, rather than repairing this one.

This model of stock fin was not the greatest performer when new
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
6 May 2011 9:56am
I disagree on both Puggy - sorry

It needs some fill and reshape but that is easy and I think they were an OK fin.

Pel if you decide not to fix it I'll buy it I actually want one of them in a 25cm

But to fix: firstly you can use anything but spoxy is superior stengthwise to ployester resins found in fibreglass repair kits. That delamination type split needs to be fixed well.
Stand the fin with tip up, and dribble epoxy down into the split to fill it right up.

When that has set (next day), masking tape one side of the fin all the way around so the tape overlaps the perimeter of the fin - that is just so when you fill a chip, the filler has a little shelf of tape to sit on so it doesn't dribble off.
Fill can be anything - epoxy and wood dust is good, solarez filler that has some glass in it, or a auto body filler that has fibreglass in it. Using straight resin or Plastibond is not very durable.

Then reshape, sand back to about 400grade wet, and it will be like new.

Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
WA, 7733 posts
6 May 2011 10:03am
^^^ I must admit I repaired both of my JP FSW fins using the method you described Mark - resin... it is very easy...

That said, nothing beats that new fin feeling

EDIT: Sell it to Mark and use the proceeds to buy a nice new one - must be worth good $$
Pel
Pel
WA
66 posts
Pel Pel
WA, 66 posts
6 May 2011 10:33am
Cheers for the advice Mark, sounds like you've done this a few times!

Well it sounds like by the time I buy all the stuff I need and spend my time stuffing around I'm better off getting a new one. (Especially if I can sell it off!)

I'll send you an msg Mark, you can have it. If theres wind this arvo I'll have it with me at Pinnaroo Pt.

EDIT: Well, Mark didn't want it so it looks like I'll try to fix it.
wespyyl
wespyyl
WA
118 posts
WA, 118 posts
6 May 2011 11:20am
cut it down to 16cm and start freestyling
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
6 May 2011 2:04pm
Will a little bit of epoxy and filler rescue this 42cm fin? Got kinda dinged yesterday...


dinsdale
dinsdale
WA
1227 posts
WA, 1227 posts
6 May 2011 1:13pm
ikw777 said...

Will a little bit of epoxy and filler rescue this 42cm fin? Got kinda dinged yesterday...


Yea, but you'll need a little more filler and epoxy than Pel .

FormulaNova
FormulaNova
WA
15100 posts
WA, 15100 posts
6 May 2011 1:32pm
It seems it really was bomb proof tested. It just doesn't mention the condition of the fin after the testing
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
6 May 2011 3:49pm
Passed the Bomb Proof test but failed the Turtle Test.
r2908
r2908
NSW
214 posts
NSW, 214 posts
6 May 2011 6:36pm


buy one of these bad boys in 25, pel... there made from kevlar or something

think i paid about $160,
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12872 posts
WA, 12872 posts
6 May 2011 7:34pm
r2908 said...


>>>>
buy one of these bad boys in 25, pel... there made from kevlar or something

>>>>>


If they've got kevlar in them, don't even think about them!!!!!!
The worst thing you can put in a fin is kevlar, as soon as it starts to wear, it just turns into fuzz.
Well the kevlar doesn't wear, (that's the trouble), but the resin around it does, leaving kevlar fibres sprouting out of the surface.
The more you try and sand it back, the worse it gets!

(Just ask Pepe)
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