Snowboard Waxing
Tools Needed for Snowboard Waxing: Iron, Wax, Plastic Scraper, Scotch bright pads.
Snowboard Waxing is the last step in snowboard tuning. The base of a snowboard is porous and it needs moisture to move, so the pores need to be sealed with wax other wise your board will act like a suction cup. If you don't have wax your base becomes dry and easier to damage plus you will be really slow on the mountain, not a good thing.
There are a few ways to wax your board, hot belts, rub on wax, liquid wax, spray wax, and hot wax. All methods work but the best is hot waxing. Before you start to wax make sure your base is clean. If you don't know the conditions a good universal wax should do the trick.
In Snowboard Waxing it is very important to pick the right wax. I have even gotten to the point of buying an infra-red thermometer. Most people tell me they can't believe I've gone so far. So it should be enough to watch the weather and know your local mountain. When you buy the wax it should have a temperature guide. I use swix wax and it works great. I'm sure there's others.
This is how to wax a snowboard
So start by preheating your iron to cotton. Hold iron with the point down and touch the wax on it. Let the wax run down onto board making an S pattern.
Now just slide the iron around the board, keep moving it, make sure you don't leave it in one spot or it will mess up the board (if the wax smokes the iron is too hot).
As you run the iron touch the top side to check on heat build up. It should become warm, but not hot.
After you have spread the wax all over your base, turn off your iron and let the board sit.
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When wax has cooled the fun starts. Now you have to scrape it off. Only use a plastic scraper, a metal one might dig in and you will be back to the base repair section. I find it to be easier to do long strokes pushing away from my body, holding the scraper with both hands and with thumbs in the back.
Once you have removed all wax, you can buff the board with a scotch bright pad. Removing all wax is very important and lots of riders believe in leaving some wax but that is a big misconception, it will only hold you back.
Also don't be lazy and start filling holes with wax, if you have a hole you need to do a base repair. A good wax job makes a board look very polished, so make sure you take all the wax off of your edges with your plastic scraper.
Here is a visual reminder of how to wax a snowboard
Tricks: Some people apply wax and remove it immediately with a paper towel while it is still hot. That is a lazy man's wax job. It may work but I recommend the long process.
Now you know how to wax a snowboard
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