As a snowboarder, keeping your board in top condition is crucial to ensure maximum performance and durability.
One of the main maintenance tasks you can do for your board is waxing it.
Waxing your snowboard helps to protect the base, and also to reduce friction on the snow, making it easier and faster to ride.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to wax a snowboard step by step so you can get back to riding in no time!
How does waxing a snowboard work?
Each snowboard has the base composed of thousands of pores, i.e. tiny holes.
Waxing is the process that makes the pores absorb the wax and make the snowboard more slippery and faster. It also makes it more durable since a dry base (without wax) would be very brittle.
That’s why in step 6 you will remove the wax from the surface of the base. You need to let the pores absorb the wax, not wax the surface!
Don’t worry, it will be easy if you follow these simple steps!
Note: the more pores the base has the better the performance. This is why there are two types of bases, extruded or sintered. Find out how they work and which one is right for you by reading our guide.
How to Wax a Snowboard
Note: This I will show you in this guide is the best way to wax a snowboard, but it is not the only way. That’s why I recommend you read our research on how much it costs to wax your snowboard and what you should do to save money.
Step #1: Get materials
What do you need to wax a snowboard?
The materials you need are:
- Steel/Copper brush or base cleaner
- Wax
- Wax iron
- Scraper
- Nylon brush
You can find all these materials in one of the best waxing kits we have talked in our guide.
I recommend buying the kit rather than the individual components, but in any case I’ll leave you with our reviews for choosing the best items:
Pro tip: At ski resorts you can often get your snowboard waxed for $20-25, if you snowboard occasionally it pays off.
Step #2: Clean the base of your snowboard
Firstly, make sure the snowboard base is clean and free of dirt or any old wax.
To do that take the steel brush and apply pressure to rub it from the tip to the tail of the snowboard.
Alternatively, if you have a base cleaner, apply it using a sponge or cloth.
If you also used water, make sure to dry the snowboard entirely before moving to the next step.
Step #3: Melt the wax
Now that you’ve made sure your snowboard is properly cleaned, it’s time to apply the wax!
For this step, we will need the waxing iron, and of course the wax.
All you will need to do is turn on the wax iron at a suitable temperature, not too low that it will not melt the wax, but also not too high that it will make smoke.
Pro tip: the first time, not knowing the proper temperature try melting the wax and letting it drip off the board so you can see if it makes smoke or not.
When the wax iron has reached the ideal temperature, hold it up above the board about 4 inches (10 cm) and put it in contact with the wax so that it melts.
Pro tip: I recommend that you melt it as if you were going to use glue for a sheet of paper, so cover both the edges and the center.
Step #4: Apply the wax
Immediately after melting the wax, put the wax iron in contact with the base of the snowboard to spread the wax all over the surface.
Make slow movements starting from tip to tail or vice versa, don’t move randomly.
Note: You don’t need to change the temperature of the wax iron for this step.
Step #5: Let the wax cool and harden
After you’ve applied the wax, let it cool and harden for 15-30 minutes. During this time, don’t touch the wax or move the snowboard.
Step #6: Scrape the excess wax
Once the wax is cold, use the scraper to remove excess wax. Hold it at about a 45-degree angle and scrape the base from tip to tail or vice versa.
Repeat the step until you have removed all the excess wax on the base.
Remember, your goal must be to apply the wax into the pores of the snowboard, not on its surface!
Step #7: Brush the base
Lastly, finish the base with the nylon brush by rubbing the entire surface of the base to make sure you have removed all excess wax.
Pro tip: Once you’ve finished waxing your snowboard, store it in a cold, dry place to prevent wax from melting.
In conclusion, waxing your snowboard is a simple and easy process that can have a significant impact on performance and durability.
Following these steps, you can keep your snowboard in top condition and get the most out of your ride.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snowboarder, regular waxing is an essential maintenance task that will help you to get the most out of your board.
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests, please feel free to contact us here in the comments or at support@adventurerhub.com.
Useful videos:
FAQs
How often should you wax a snowboard?
If you have a sintered base, I recommend waxing after 3 or 4 days of riding, while if you have extruded base, every 7 or 8.
Read our guide to find out more about how often you should wax your snowboard. In addition discover the differences between extruded and sintered base.
Do you really need to wax your snowboard?
Yes, waxing is among the maintenance operations of the snowboard. It not only makes the board perform better but also makes it more durable.
Should a beginner wax their snowboard?
Yes, even a beginner snowboarder should wax his snowboard. Remember that waxing your snowboard allows for greater durability as well as performance, so don’t underestimate it too much.
Can you ride a new snowboard without wax?
Don’t worry, a new snowboard is already waxed at the end of the manufacturing process, but if you are sure it is not, follow the steps I explain in this guide!
