Ski and snowboard base repair in San Diego
The video has no sound. The same steps are written out below.
Core shot, gouge or rock strike? Bring it in. We repair ski and snowboard bases by hand at our shop in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, using a P-tex fill, base weld, base patch or bonded base repair, then blend it flush with the base. Every repair starts with a free quote at drop-off.
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How do you fix a core shot?
It depends on how deep the damage goes. P-tex bonds to P-tex, so shallow damage can be filled. Damage that reaches the core needs a patch, a weld or a bonded base repair. Below you can see two of those, start to finish.
Step by step
How we patch a ski or snowboard base
A base patch is one way we repair a large core shot. Here's what it looks like from start to finish.
- Step 1
Assess & prep
We take a close look at the damage and prep the area before work begins.
- Step 2
Remove the damage
The damaged base material is cut away cleanly, leaving a solid surface for the patch to bond to.
- Step 3
Cut the patch
A patch is cut and shaped to match the void exactly.
- Step 4
Bond & clamp
The patch is set with a slow-cure epoxy resin and clamped down tight while it bonds.
- Step 5
Level & finish
The patch is painstakingly leveled flush with the base for a bomb-proof repair that seals out moisture and helps prevent core deterioration.
Step by step
How we weld a ski or snowboard base
A P-tex weld is how we fix a deep gouge that's too big for a simple base fill. Here's what it looks like from start to finish.
P-Tex bonds to P-Tex, so damage that reaches below the P-Tex material and into the core can't simply be filled. Depending on the size and location of the damage, it may require a patch, weld, or bonded base repair.
- Step 1
Prep the gouge
We cut out the damaged material, bevel the edges, and clean the area thoroughly, then warm the surface with a heat gun before welding.
- Step 2
Melt & fill
We apply a metal-grip primer to the edge surface, then fire up the base welder and weld in new P-tex material.
- Step 3
Scrape & blend
This is the difficult, time-consuming step. We patiently remove all the excess material by hand with a metal scraper and a planer, then finish it off on the base grinder.
- Step 4
Edge & wax
The final step is finishing the tune. We dial in the edges and bake in a fresh coat of wax so your gear leaves the shop fast, smooth, and ready to ride.
The damage
Repair prices
Every repair is different, so we look at the damage in person before we quote it.
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Common repair questions
How much does a base repair cost?
Every base is different, so we quote it in person. Bring your skis or board by and you'll get a free quote at drop-off.
What's the difference between a fill, a weld and a patch?
A P-tex fill handles small, shallow damage. A P-tex weld fixes a deep gouge that's too big for a simple fill. A base patch is one way we repair a large core shot: we cut out the damage and bond in a new piece of base.
Can I fix it myself?
You can, but it's easy to make it worse. One of the repairs in our photos is a do-it-yourself razor repair that we had to fix with a bonded base repair.
Do you fix top sheets too?
Yes. We repair the top sheet and seal it against moisture, so the core doesn't deteriorate.
Can you fix a binding screw that pulled out?
Yes. We repair the hole with a threaded Heli-Coil insert, which brings the mount back to its original strength.