After a really bad last season in the north, many of you know: Freeriding is no walk in the park for people and, above all, equipment. The desire for off-piste turns is huge. However, in combination with little base and even less powder, it often causes considerable damage to the boards that mean the world to many of us. After short outbursts of anger, often followed by strong self-doubt (I knew I should have saved myself the trouble...), the question then arises: "How do I get it fixed again? And this is where the two-component adhesive (2k adhesive) makes its grand entrance...
Once the damage has been done, protruding parts can be quickly removed with a knife or the edge of the other ski (we can refer you to the video). But how to plug the hole now? Of course, there is the option of a professional repair where a new piece of base and/or edge is inserted. However, this can quickly cost 100 euros or more, including service. You can buy a pack of 2K adhesive for around 10 euros and the results you can achieve with it are quite impressive!
"Two-component adhesive, also known as two-component adhesive or 2K adhesive, is an adhesive that consists of different components (resin and hardener). The curing reaction is usually started at room temperature by mixing the two components immediately before use. Two-component systems cure through chemical reactions such as polyaddition, polycondensation and polymerization." (wikipedia.de)
So much for the theory. What the Wiki entry doesn't tell you are the properties that interest us as freeriders the most. 2K adhesive has a very high load-bearing capacity (simply put: sticks very, very well). Ok, other adhesives (superglues) can do that too. But 2K is also impact-resistant and resistant to ageing and moisture! All properties that you want when repairing skis. In addition, the hardened adhesive can also be processed with a file or sandpaper to give it the desired shape.
As a freerider, the most common area of application for 2K adhesive will be for repairing core shots ("scratches" that go through the base to the core of the ski or board). Core shots are often really big and deep and can often no longer be repaired with ordinary touch-up sticks, as repaired areas often start to crumble after a while. This does not happen with the help of 2K adhesive. The disadvantage: 2K adhesive does not absorb wax. This can be remedied by not filling the hole completely with 2K adhesive, but by using a touch-up pen as the last filling layer. Damage to sidewalls and sometimes even damaged edges can also be restored to at least "rideable" condition. With enough glue and one or two screw clamps, which remain in position for the duration of the hardening process, you can bend some things back into shape. Even small gaps between the edge and sidewall or old drill holes can be sealed well with 2K glue to protect the core of the ski or board from moisture.
2K glue is available from various manufacturers. The most common are probably the products from UHU and Pattex. Just ask at the DIY store. We recommend 2-component adhesive. Although this takes a little longer to harden (up to 24 hours), it can be used for longer in a soft state and then holds bombproof (several hundred kg per cm2!).
