How to Wax a Snowboard

Regularly waxing your snowboard will prolong its life and keep it quick.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Heavy-duty Scouring Pad
• Ski Waxing Tools
• Snowboard Bag
• Snowboard Bindings
• Snowboard Leash
• Snowboards
• Wax Scrapers
• Waxes
• Waxing Irons

1. Secure your snowboard in a well-ventilated area with the base facing up.

2. Remove old wax from the base of your snowboard using a metal or plastic wax scraper. Use long, lengthwise strokes.

3. Turn on your iron to the lowest temperature needed to melt the snowboard wax. Test the iron by holding the block of wax to its base; if it begins to smoke, the iron is too hot and it's burning the wax.

4. Hold the iron above the base of your snowboard and press the wax into it. As the wax begins to drip off the iron, move the iron around, evenly distributing the wax from tip to tail.

5. Apply the iron directly to the snowboard's base and spread the wax in a thin layer, keeping the iron moving continuously.

6. Allow the wax to cool for 30 minutes.

7. Remove excess dried wax from the base with your scraper, using full-length strokes. Go over problem spots with short, quick strokes until a thin layer of wax remains on the base.

8. Buff the base using a stiff cleaning brush or a heavy-duty scouring pad. Make short, quick strokes from tip to tail.

Tips & Warnings

• Irons made especially for waxing are available for purchase; however, an old clothes iron will do the job. Don't use it again on clothes!
• For best results, use wax designed for the type of snow (soft and slushy, cold and hard) you'll be riding on.
• Be careful when working with the iron and hot wax; not only can the wax burn skin, it can damage clothes and carpets.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 11/22/2005 Mold some aluminum foil on the bottom of the iron (don't get crinkles in it. This way the wax doesn't get into the holes of the iron and it protects your board from ill-effects the holes on the iron could have.

on 11/22/2005 If possible use a set of brushes designed for the base of a snowboard. This puts structure in the base and increases surface area. You can use a copper brush before waxing to remove old wax.

on 11/22/2005 When you are finished scraping the wax off of the base, take a flat piece of cork and rub the wax on the board. This will push it into the pores of the board.

on 11/22/2005 It should only take about five minutes to evenly spread the wax on the base. Don't hold the iron on the base for too long, or you could damage the base (especially if it's a new board, or the first waxing).

on 11/22/2005 Use lots of wax. You can always buy more. Use two coats, and at the end of both coats, use a Scotch Brite pad to wipe off the excess wax. This works great.