How do I apply wax to my surfboard?
Surfwax is used to create a good grip on the top of the board. Untreated, it becomes very slippery in the water and almost impossible to stand on.
If you wax your board correctly, it creates an uneven surface with small “bubbles” that give your feet something to grip.
If you've never waxed your board or are looking for tips on how to do it better, here's a guide on how to do it.
Wax your board in 4 steps
This is what you need: Basecoat wax, Topcoat wax and a wax comb.
If you are going to put on a used board or redo it from scratch, you will also need Wax remover.
1. Clean the board. If you are applying wax to a brand new board, you can skip this step.
If the board in front of you already has wax on it, you need to clean it.
Start by scraping off any excess with the scraping side of the wax comb. Then apply the Wax Remover and work it in with a cloth.
Scrub it off and redo to remove everything and get a smooth and nice surface on the board.
2. Apply base coat. Basecoat is the most important part of the entire waxing process. The top coat wax will wear off every time you use the board, but the base coat will stay put until you choose to remove it.
The thing about the base coat is to create that uneven surface that creates the grip. This wax is harder than the top coat. Because of this, it stays on longer, but is harder to work out.
Place the wax on one edge and press down fairly hard while spreading it evenly across the board. There are different ways to create the pattern. Find one that works for you. Everything from circular motions to diagonal strokes. When you see noticeable bumps forming, which will be your grip, you know you're doing it right. Continue until the entire surface you want to grip is covered.
3. Top coat. The topcoat is much softer than the basecoat. This makes it both easier to apply, but also makes it more tacky which, together with the basecoat, creates the grip.
There are different waxes for different temperatures. It is always measured in water temperature, so look carefully at which one you need before buying. The basic rule is that you can always use warmer wax in colder water but not the other way around because it will be too soft.
Apply in the same way as the base coat. Here you don't need to press as hard, just pull so you see it stick.
4. After surfing. When you surf for a while, the topcoat will fall off. This is completely normal. Because of this, you need to wax your board every time you go out. If the wax looks compressed and flat, you need to comb it with the comb side of your wax comb. Pull it diagonally with the board in both directions so you create a checkerboard pattern. This will last a few more times. If you have to comb often, it's time to start over. Depending on how often you surf, this may be needed anywhere from every 3 months to at least once a year.