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Waxing a Snowboard
The Benefits of Waxing a Snowboard
First of all, Waxing a Snowboard is one of the easiest things that you can do to increase the performance of your Snowboard. Waxing makes the board easier to control, thus, it glides much better, increasing both your speed and the ease of turning. With this, you won't tire easily. Second, waxing prolongs the Snowboard's "useful life" since waxed bases are more resistant. Consequently, you get the most from your Snowboard. Lastly, Waxing can reduce the risk of minor damage to the base that disturbs the riding performance. With this in mind, both the pleasure and enjoyment of Snowboarding increases.
What you Need to Wax a Snowboard
- A dry room that is well ventilated
- An old sheet for the wax to drip on to
- Two blocks of wood to prop the board up on
- A Plexiglas or plastic scraper for excess wax
- A quantity of Snowboard Wax
- An old, non-rusty iron (for best results, use a non-Teflon) if not a special waxing iron
- An abrasive pad for polishing
How to Wax a Snowboard
There are several different ways of Waxing Snowboards. The easiest way is to let someone else (like your local board shop) do it. But, if you prefer to wax your board yourself the following are steps to guide you on How to Wax your Snowboard. Although there are different kinds of wax for different purposes, a general Snowboarding Wax will do the job in most cases.
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Applying the Wax Hold the wax bar against the hot iron and let the wax drip on the Snowboard. Set the iron on a heat that will cause the wax to melt, not to start smoking. | |
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Spread out the Wax Once you have dripped some wax on the board smooth it out with your iron. Apply a thin layer to the entire base of your Snowboard. Allow the wax to cool off and get into the base. | |
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Remove excess Wax and Smoothen Use a Plexiglas or plastic scraper to remove the excess wax. Now polish your base with an abrasive pad to smoothen out the surface. |
To get the most from your Snowboard, wax it about every third time you use it. Also, have it edged regularly during the peak season. Still, wax and edge your Snowboard more frequently if you are an aggressive boarder or if you ride a lot on ice and hard-packed snow surfaces. Keep in mind that even boards that are not used are subject to oxidation through UV radiation and other environmental influences. Thus, it is important to wax it also during transport and the summer break.
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Monday 15th December 2008 at 11:15:37 AM
what type of abrasive pad?
Monday 15th December 2008 at 9:14:03 PM
i once heard that you can use candle wax to wax your board true or false?
Saturday 27th December 2008 at 1:34:57 PM
False, candle wax will seep in, but it will just slow down ur board, candle wax would be a wax for warm weathers.
there are two type of waxes Cold and Warm
warms ones are softer and slide better on slush, and warmer temp; Cold waxes slide better on ice and colder temp.
Unless ur planning to use ur board at later on in the season when it gets warmer...
I suggest just go buy sum board wax its less then 20 bucks
Tuesday 30th December 2008 at 1:19:25 PM
just wondering, how to apply paste wax on to a snowboard please?
Monday 5th January 2009 at 9:33:53 PM
adam earlier said "i once heard that you can use candle wax to wax your board true or false?"
-;I have never heard of that, but i still wouldn''t try it anyways you could run the risk of ruining a perfectly good board for a stupid reason
Monday 12th January 2009 at 5:04:32 PM
Candle wax ha ha... wrong board dude, that might work when you need traction eg: Surfboard!
Sunday 25th January 2009 at 6:52:53 PM
how often would u need 2 wax ur board throughout a season?
Sunday 25th January 2009 at 11:06:45 PM
Ha, yeah, I put candle wax on a rail once... slowed it down considerably....
Wednesday 28th January 2009 at 10:32:35 PM
Candle wax vs Board Wax:
Candle wax is a parfin based wax with no quality other then it will burn.
Board waxes generally have PTFE teflon added to them( a good ratio is a wax with a least 50% PTFE)when properly applied and buffed(mild scotchbrite pad) your board will sing along and help you get over those small rises on fire trails we always encounter in Mountain Parks. Look for board waxes on sale at the end of the Season usually at 50-75% off. Good luck boarding and remember to wax wax wax :)
Wednesday 4th February 2009 at 9:00:45 PM
yeah!! what kind of abrasive?? i think you need to add one more step to this useful information.... "polishing"
Sunday 8th February 2009 at 5:09:18 PM
Use a green abrasive pad, like one you would wash dishes with.
Thursday 12th March 2009 at 11:49:36 AM
My tips on waxing (I have worked at a snowboard/ski shop for most of my adult life)
1) WAX WAX WAX!!! you can apply more than one coat and more than one type of wax depending on the conditions...I use an all temp wax, wait a few mins till the board is WARM, then wax it again with either a Red or Yellow wax, and then again wax it with an all temp wax.
2) Scrape board WARM!!! It is not necessary to let the board cool completely, it will only make it more difficult to scrape on your own...if you lay multiple layers of wax, scraping it warm will suffice.
3) Plastic Scrapers, that are sharp or brand new, work best! Use your thumbs and your fingers to curve the typically straight and firm scraper more like a ( with a curve to scrape...dont forget to remove wax from your edges!!!
4) BUFFFING IS KEY!!! A Green or Red Scotch Brite Pad is what we use...Glide with pressure from tip to tail ONLY!!! Not in a circular motion! From tip to tail in a back and forth motion
It is a completely essential part of snowboarding! Practice makes perfect
Monday 16th March 2009 at 10:02:30 AM
my tips on waxing
ive been waxin my board since i was six first ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS USE ALL TEMP WAX (unless youre going somewhere really really cold it will crack and slow you down)
use a metal scraper not plastic it will take more wax off so you have a more even surface.
use a brush to polish not a dish washing pad. a hard bristle brush like a horse brush and only go with the snowboard never make circles or go edge to edge. only go nose to tail.
if you are really looking for speed condition your wax wiht dakine wax conditioner it will moisturize the factory wax and make your shit fly
good luck kids and go shred
Monday 20th April 2009 at 9:53:38 AM
I have only been snowboarding for like 2 years and im beast but i dont know how to wax my snowboard help?
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