Waxing the surfboard is essential, as it provides the surfer with grip and traction. Without wax, it could slide off the board much easier. For this reason, applying paraffin correctly can make the difference between riding a wave and being blown away. In any case, waxing the table is relatively simple and does not cause particular difficulties. In this article, we will explain how to roll out the right base, then the right top layer, and finally brush.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting started
Step 1. Get the right paraffin
Paraffins for surfboards come in two types: base wax (basecoat), topcoat wax, also known as temperature wax. You will need both base wax and suitable thermal wax, depending on the temperature of the water you are surfing in. Here is a quick guide to choosing the right thermal wax:
- Tropical Wax: if the water has a temperature above 23 ° C, the beach is characterized by the presence of palm trees and you do not need a wetsuit to surf, this is probably the right wax to apply on your board.
- Warm Water Wax: for a water temperature between 20 and 23 ° C.
- Cool Wax: If the water you surf in is between 15, 5 and 20 ° C and you can wear a sleeveless wetsuit, then you can probably use this wax.
- Cold Wax: If the water you surf in is between 10 and 15.5 ° C and you definitely need a wetsuit to surf, this is the wax for you.
Step 2. Scrape the old wax off the board
If your board is new, skip this step and go to the next. If it is not new or has an old paraffin layer, you need to remove it and make sure it is clean and free from damage, dirt, sand or dust.
- Lay the board in the sun to soften the old wax and make it easier to remove.
- Once it is soft, remove the old paraffin by scraping it off with the flat edge of a wax brush or any other plastic scraper with a flat, sturdy edge, such as an old magnetic card. Do not use metal objects, they will damage the table. To make this easier, you can also use a wax remover, which you can find at any surf shop.
Step 3. Clean the board
There are several ways to proceed. The first is to clean the table with solvents such as white spirit followed by denatured alcohol. Otherwise, you can try applying corn oil followed by simple hand soap - it is less toxic to your table, your skin and the environment.
Never use acetone to remove wax. This could also remove the finish layer and designs if a clear coat was applied to the board, which is common in production
Part 2 of 3: Apply the base
Step 1. Apply the base
If you are using a longboard, apply the wax all over the top of the board, top to bottom and edge to edge. If you're using a shortboard, wax the top of the board from the front logo to the fin on the back (approximately two-thirds of the way) and edge to edge.
- You can get by quite well even without a base wax, but the waxing won't last as long. If your board doesn't have the right base, the top layer won't grip the board, leaving you alone at the mercy of a board you could slide and slide on.
- The base should remain on the board until the next swipe of paraffin. The top layer attaches to the base.
Step 2. Use any one of several techniques to apply the base
When it comes to laying it out so that it grips the board, surfers use several techniques - sometimes on their own, sometimes combining them:
- Circular motion: Rub the wax on the board in small circles, moving up and down the board until bumps begin to form.
- Straight Line Movement: Rub the wax on the board following straight lines and moving up and down along the board, lengthwise.
- Lattice movement: rub the wax on the board following a diagonal, then perpendicular to it, making a lattice.
- Confusing: Rub the wax on the board in any direction, using any of the motions listed above or choosing your own.
Step 3. Apply the base until bumps begin to form
Use the edge of the wax stick, not the flat side. Apply it until a covering with bumps has formed. The wax for the top layer will adhere to them. Depending on the size of your board, you may need to use a whole stick of wax, or even two whole ones, to get the right base.
Part 3 of 3: Apply the top layer and finish
Step 1. Apply the thermal wax
Fully wax the area you just covered with the base. Rub the edge of the block on the board by making small circles, 8 to 15 centimeters in diameter, or using one of the techniques already described.
To be safe, try using a different colored top coat wax than the base. If this is the same color as the base wax, it will be more difficult to tell where you have already applied it, so in this case, apply the wax in one direction only
Step 2. Brush the wax
Run your paraffin brush over the wax you applied to the board. Run it along diagonal lattice lines to make the wax layer rougher and allow you to adhere even better to the board.
Use the wax brush every time you surf if you haven't applied a new surface layer of wax. Sometimes, the wax will level out and lose some of its traction. If you don't want to go through a new surface layer, take the side of your brush and draw a lattice with diagonal streaks
Step 3. Spray cold water on the board
This will harden the wax and make it adhere better to the board. You are officially ready to go surfing.
Advice
- Remove and reapply the base approximately every three months. If you can't surf again for three months, remove the base and wax the board again.
- Rubbing some soft wax on your hands before you go splashing will help you get a grip on the board.
- Apply a new layer of thermal wax every time you surf.
- Some waxes are best applied with linear rather than circular movements.
- Make sure you are using the right thermal wax.
Warnings
- Do not apply wax to the bottom of the board.
- Do not apply wax to damaged areas of the board.
- Be cautious when using solvents such as white spirit and denatured alcohol.
