Surfboard Care Guide

One Revolver Surfboards

Surfboard Care Guide

Keep your surfboard cleaner, stronger, and riding better with simple care habits before, during, and after every session.

Protect Your Board. Protect Your Sessions.

A surfboard is built to take pressure, flex, saltwater, wax, sun, and travel — but a little care goes a long way. Whether you ride a custom shortboard, fish, mid-length, or longboard, these basics help prevent avoidable damage and keep your board performing the way it should.

After Every Session

Rinse & Dry

Give your board a light freshwater rinse after surfing, especially around fin boxes, leash plugs, and any hardware.

  • Rinse off salt, sand, and grime.
  • Dry before putting it in a bag.
  • Check for cracks or pressure damage.
Heat Protection

Avoid Direct Sun

Heat is one of the easiest ways to damage a surfboard. Avoid leaving it baking in a car, truck bed, or direct sun.

  • Use shade whenever possible.
  • Do not store inside a hot vehicle.
  • Open board bags after hot sessions.
Storage

Store It Safely

Store your board somewhere cool, dry, and away from sharp objects or heavy pressure points.

  • Use padded racks or wall racks.
  • Do not stack heavy items on it.
  • Keep the nose and tail protected.

Check for Dings Before You Paddle Out

Small cracks can let water into the foam, especially around the rail, nose, tail, fin boxes, leash plug, and any impact area. If you see a crack, soft spot, puncture, or open fiberglass, do not ignore it.

Quick rule: If you can catch a fingernail on it, see foam, or suspect water can get in, repair it before surfing again.

Basic Surfboard Care Checklist

Before Surfing

  • Inspect the rails, nose, tail, and bottom.
  • Make sure fins are secure.
  • Check leash string and leash plug.
  • Use enough wax for grip, not giant buildup.

After Surfing

  • Rinse with fresh water when possible.
  • Dry before long storage.
  • Keep it out of heat and direct sun.
  • Look for new dings before the next session.

Travel & Transport

  • Use a board bag for road trips.
  • Protect the nose and tail.
  • Do not over-tighten roof rack straps.
  • Keep fins protected or remove them when needed.

Long-Term Storage

  • Store in a cool, dry area.
  • Avoid pressure points on the deck or rails.
  • Do not leave it in a sealed hot board bag.
  • Clean old wax if it gets dirty or excessive.

Wax, Deck Pressure, and Normal Wear

Pressure dents are normal, especially under your front foot and back foot. They are part of a board being ridden. What you want to watch for is cracked glass, delamination, deep impacts, or areas that feel soft, spongy, or separated from the foam.

Keep wax clean enough to see the deck condition. If wax is packed with sand, dirt, or old melted layers, it can hide damage and make the board feel less responsive underfoot.

PU vs EPS Care Notes

PU/poly and EPS/epoxy boards both need protection from heat, impacts, and water intrusion. EPS boards can be especially sensitive to water getting inside the blank, while PU boards can also take on water through open dings.

Important: Always use the correct resin system for repairs. Polyester resin is generally used on PU/poly boards. Epoxy resin is safe for EPS/epoxy boards. When in doubt, ask before repairing.

When to Repair Your Board

Repair your board as soon as you notice open damage. Surfing a board with an open ding can make a small repair turn into a bigger problem.

  • Open cracks or punctures should be repaired before surfing again.
  • Fin box damage should be checked before the next session.
  • Leash plug cracks should not be ignored.
  • Yellowing, small pressures, and cosmetic scratches are usually normal wear.
Ask About Board Repair

Recommended Surfboard Care Gear

Protect your board before and after every session with the right bags, racks, leashes, roof rack systems, and ding repair supplies.

Surfboard Bags

Protect your board from sun exposure, travel damage, pressure dents, and everyday wear.

Shop Surfboard Bags

Racks & Storage

Keep your boards organized and off the floor with wall racks, freestanding racks, and storage systems.

Shop Storage Racks

Ding Repair Supplies

Repair small cracks and dings before they become larger problems and allow water into the foam.

Shop Ding Repair

Surfboard Leashes

A quality leash protects your board, your session, and the surfers around you.

Shop Leashes

Roof Racks

Transport your surfboards safely and avoid unnecessary rail damage during travel.

Shop Roof Racks

Wet Bags & Backpacks

Keep wet gear contained and your vehicle cleaner after surf sessions and road trips.

Shop Wet Bags