Waxing your snowboard is important for quite a few reasons. You might wonder how to wax a snowboard at home but it is much easier than you think. We’ll teach you. Soon, you’ll be able to wax a snowboard at home, in a condo or even in a hotel.
If you have ever ridden a snowboard that needs a wax, you’ll notice it. Noticeably slower, sluggish and a stickier feeling in the snow. To get a board to glide across the snow, you’ll need a good wax job. Stay tuned and you’ll be waxing your snowboard at home in no time. Forget running to the shop before the slopes!
Why Should You Want to Wax Your Snowboard?
First, it prevents snow buildup and ice build-up that can happen on the bottom of your the board’s base. Second, it can help you make better turns because you won’t be hanging up as much. Finally, it provides a smoother ride because there will be a lot less friction between the board and snow.
In the end, waxing your snowboard is a very important process to keep in mind when you are going out on the slopes. It plays a crucial role in the health and longevity to the base of your snowboard.
How Often Should You Wax Your Snowboard?
Ok, so now that you can see the benefits to waxing your snowboard, how often is the real question.
The frequency of waxing depends on where and how often you ride, but in general, it should be done every 5-7 days of riding. If you are on a choppier hill that has icy conditions then a wax might be needed every 3-4 days of riding.
Beginner riders often buy a board and ride their first season but neglect to wax their board often throughout the season.
If you have a board that is new or has been stored for a long time, then you should clean the base and put on fresh wax as well.
For riders who are getting a lot of days out of the season, you can easily see why waxing a snowboard at home becomes much more advantageous than using a shop. Beginner riders often buy a board and ride their first season but neglect to wax their board often throughout the season. Just realize it is much easier to ride and learn with a properly waxed snowboard.
What is The Cost to Wax Your Snowboard at a Shop?
So should you just get a shop to wax your snowboard? It depends. You are then giving up time and money. If there is a long queue at the board shop, you might be waiting for something you could have done yourself. So what is the cost of waxing a snowboard?
The cost to wax your snowboard will depend on where you go and what type of wax you use. The average price for a single application of wax ranges between $5 and $25 for a snowboard base, but there are some shops that offer deals or discounts if you buy in bulk.
Chain stores like REI regularly have three different waxes. Make sure you know the difference in the following waxes –
- Rub on wax
- Hot wax
- Performance wax
Can You Wax a Snowboard at Home?
There is a lot of debate on whether or not you can wax a snowboard at home. Some people say that you can, while others say that you can’t. The truth is that it is possible to wax a snowboard at home, but it takes a little time and patience to do so.
Once you get the hang of it, it will be routine and you probably will have to turn down your friends who will all be coming to you. Arguably, learning how to wax a snowboard at home is easier than riding the snowboard itself.
The first thing that you have to do in order to wax your board at home is finding the right tools and materials. You need something to remove the old wax first, which usually means using some kind of solvent or an ice scraper, then you need something else for applying the new layer of wax – this could be either a spray-on type or one that comes in sheets.
Pro Tip: Unless you are in a pinch, go with a hot wax. A rub-on wax will come off the same day you are riding.
Steps to Wax a Snowboard at Home (Or in a Hotel Room)
Once you master these steps to wax a snowboard at home, you can use the same skills at any ski resort room, condo or hotel room. Let’s get started.
Step 1: First you will need to pick out your snowboard wax and gather the needed materials. That includes an iron for a hot wax, scraper, buffing pad, base cleaner and cleaning rag. Optionally you can get a steel brush and nylon brush too.
Step 2: Loosen up your bindings to avoid the heat pulling your bindings through the base of the board and causing dimples in the board. Flip your board over and scrape off any old wax which has dirt and grime in it. You can use your scraper and a steel brush to get out the old wax.
Step 3: Once you have scraped off the old wax, apply some base cleaner to get off any remaining oils and grime, then wipe off. Some people are against base cleaner. If you believe in leaving some old wax in your board’s pores, that is up to you. We prefer to hit the base with a quick board cleaner before moving on. Just apply to the instructions and wipe off.
Step 4: Heat up your iron and drip on some all-temperature wax by letting the wax touch the iron. Then go back over the board with the iron and work the wax into the base of the snowboard.
Step 5: Once you have the wax worked in, take your iron and drag it slow from tip to tail of the snowboard. Your scraper should follow in tandem behind your iron which is heating up the wax. This will take off any excess wax. Now if you have a brush available, go over your board from tip to tail with your bronze or steel brush. Finally follow it with the nylon brush.
Step 6: Now put on a second coat of wax like the first coat and allow it to cool. This can sit on your board for a few days if you have time. If you don’t, no worries. The process is the same, once it cools, you will use the scraper again, this time without the iron. That is why it is called a cold scrape.
Cold scrape the excess wax off the snowboard from tip to tail. You can also use the bronze brush, followed by the nylon brush to at this stage to give it one final buff out.
Step 7: Tighten down those bindings and you will be all set to shred the slopes.
Pro Tips to Waxing a Snowboard:
- Keep your iron moving and don’t let it sit in one spot on the board when scraping.
- Scrape from tip to tail since that is the direction you will be riding.
- Keep your iron warm enough to melt the wax but not smoking hot.
If you have any trouble following those steps then the below video is worth a watch as well from The House.
Final Thoughts on Waxing Your Snowboard
Show your snowboard some love and give it some more waxings this year. Clearly, you can do it! The steps to wax a snowboard at home are simple. You don’t need a lot of gear to get your board running a lot better on the mountain. We even have a whole list broken down simply here. Plus you will have the satisfaction that you waxed your own board.
Say goodbye to those days of your board sticking to snow. That can all be prevented by simply by taking a few minutes to properly wax your board before riding again.
