Will Paraffin Wax Damage Your Snowboard?

Paraffin wax will not damage a snowboard if it is designed for snowboard use.

Paraffin wax is a type of petroleum-based wax that comes in several different grades. Paraffin wax is perfectly safe for use on snowboards, and will not damage the surface of the board in any way. You should not use paraffin wax sold for other uses, such as candle making, on snowboards, but any paraffin wax specifically designed for use with snowboards is ideal for a variety of snowboarding conditions.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax sold for other purposes is usually the fully refined form of paraffin wax. This wax is white, and a heavy solid, and is often used for making candles. The wax flakes easily, and hardens very quickly. This kind of fully refined paraffin is not recommended for use on snowboards because it presents an uneven coating, and can chip easily. Snowboard waxes, even paraffin based waxes, contain other additives that make them a better choice for snowboards.

Solid Paraffin

Solid paraffin snowboarding wax is usually made from semi-refined or scale paraffin oils. These waxes contain more oil, and are easier to apply and chip less easily. Solid paraffin is melted before it is applied to a snowboard, and there are many techniques for applying the wax to the board. Solid waxes are used for warm snow because the particles of snow are softer and will not dig into the wax.

Liquid Paraffin

Liquid paraffin sold for snowboard use is a liquid wax that is sprayed over the surface of the board with a special wax sprayer. Liquid wax is designed to coat the board evenly with a thin coat of wax. The wax helps the board travel faster on the snow because it reduces the traction between the board and the snow. Liquid wax is typically used for cold snow, because the wax has more give.

Snow Types

Softer waxes are used for cold snow. Cold snow is considered any snow that is freshly fallen, or snow that is more ice than snow. The soft waxes do not chip like hard waxes, and the hard particles of snow cannot dig into the surface of the wax. Warm snow is snow that is a few days old, or that is more powder than ice. Hard waxes are best for this surface because they slide across the surface of the snow easily and quickly.

Wax Application

Apply all snowboard paraffin wax in this manner. Hard wax is simple to apply, but the application process is somewhat difficult. Rub the bottom of the board with the wax. Heat the snowboard iron (a iron with no holes on the bottom), and drip the wax over the surface of the board. Rub the iron over the surface of the board to smooth the wax all over the board evenly. Thirty minutes later, use a wax scraper to scrape over the surface of the board to even out the wax. Finally, polish the surface of the board with a soft brush.

References

• Ride Tips: How to Hot Wax a Snowboard
• Sierra Snow Board: How to Wax a Snowboard
• Ashville Oil: Paraffin Wax

Resources

• Tools 4 Boards: Liquid Paraffin Wax
• Tools 4 Boards: Solid Paraffin Wax