How to Wax Your Snowboard
Ready to give your snowboard some love and make it glide like a dream? Waxing is the answer, and it's worth the effort.
What You'll Need:
Find a solid spot. Wax drips and shavings can be messy, so a garage floor or something similar is ideal. Use a workbench, sawhorses, or snowboard tuning vises to support your board. If your bindings are in the way, remove them.
Tools: Wax, Iron, Scraper, Waxing Brushes (optional but recommended), Clean Cloth
Ironing Tips: a wax-specific iron is best for consistent temperatures, but an old clothing iron works too (just don't plan on ironing your clothes with it afterward). If using a clothing iron, set it on the lower "wool" setting to avoid melting your base.
The Right Wax: you’ll need a hard wax for hot waxing. They come in different temperature ranges. Choose one that matches the snow conditions where you'll be riding.
Step by Step:
Prep the Base: lay your board on the workspace with the base facing up. If there's any tuning to be done (sharpening edges or ptex repairs), do it before waxing.
Wipe down the base with a clean cloth. If there's grime or oil, use a base cleaner and let it dry.
Preheat your iron to the recommended temperature. If your wax doesn't specify, 260 degrees or the 'Wool' setting is a safe bet.
Hold the wax against the bottom of the iron and add drips every few inches along the base, from tip to tail. The goal is to cover the whole base with the least amount of wax.
Use the iron to spread the wax evenly. Move it at a steady pace (2-3" per second) and avoid lingering in one spot, especially near the inserts.
Let the wax cool for 20 to 30 minutes until it's cool to the touch.
Scrape It Off:
Use a plastic scraper (metal ones can damage the base) and move from tip to tail with the long edge at a 45-degree angle. Scrape until only a thin layer of wax remains.
Use the narrow edge of the scraper to clear wax from the sides and edges of your board. A sharp scraper is your friend.
Brush It Out:
It’s not essential, but brushing enhances glide and performance.
Start with a coarse nylon brush, running it tip to tail in 6-10" strokes.
Apply enough pressure to see small white flecks.
Follow up with a finer nylon or horsehair brush to finish the job.
How Often:
There are no hard and fast rules, but sintered bases need more frequent waxing than extruded bases.
Wax more after 3-5 days of riding or when your base looks dry and has visible "hairs" in the P-tex.
There you have it! Your board is now ready to conquer the slopes. Enjoy!
