Now that you've got your snowboard, you need to learn how to care for it properly: your performance in your favourite sport depends on it being in perfect condition. Boards require regular maintenance, as each run not only slightly dulls the edges but also wears away the base wax.
When should you wax your board? Ideally, after every 2 mountain outings, as this ensures it remains in perfect working condition.
Waxing materials
- Wax
- Iron. It's important not to use your clothing iron, so we recommend buying a specialist one for this task (preferably with a non-porous base).
- Scraper
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- P-tex candle (for filling gouges and scratches)
- Soldering iron or lighter (for melting the P-tex)
- Stiff bristle brush for final finishing
- Gloves (to avoid getting wax all over your hands)
- Iron. It's important not to use your clothing iron, so we recommend buying a specialist one for this task (preferably with a non-porous base).
- Scraper
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- P-tex candle (for filling gouges and scratches)
- Soldering iron or lighter (for melting the P-tex)
- Stiff bristle brush for final finishing
- Gloves (to avoid getting wax all over your hands)
How to wax a snowboard?
You should sand your board's edges at least once per season, but as mentioned earlier, the base requires more frequent attention. This ensures you'll fully enjoy the sport and all the performance your board can offer: you'll gain speed and glide quality.
These are the steps to follow:
1- Fill gouges. It's essential to fill any base gouges caused by stones or other obstacles encountered on the slopes. First clean the base with a non-abrasive material and gently sand from nose to tail (front to back).
Next, melt the P-tex candle with your lighter or soldering iron, and when the flame turns blue, you can begin filling gouges and scratches. Remove excess material with a metal scraper.
2- Wax the board. Once the base is smooth and clean, begin waxing. This process is vital because wax repels snow, protecting your base from scratches. With proper care, your board's lifespan will be significantly extended.
To wax the board, ensure the base is completely clean then apply wax with a specialist iron (or an old one you have at home) moving from tail to nose. After spreading the wax and letting it dry, simply scrape off the excess leaving a smooth layer. The longer you let the wax set before riding (even overnight), the better. Finally, brush the base with a stiff bristle brush for perfect finishing.
Next, melt the P-tex candle with your lighter or soldering iron, and when the flame turns blue, you can begin filling gouges and scratches. Remove excess material with a metal scraper.
2- Wax the board. Once the base is smooth and clean, begin waxing. This process is vital because wax repels snow, protecting your base from scratches. With proper care, your board's lifespan will be significantly extended.
To wax the board, ensure the base is completely clean then apply wax with a specialist iron (or an old one you have at home) moving from tail to nose. After spreading the wax and letting it dry, simply scrape off the excess leaving a smooth layer. The longer you let the wax set before riding (even overnight), the better. Finally, brush the base with a stiff bristle brush for perfect finishing.
Here's a video tutorial to make things even clearer.
If you can think of any additional tips, please don't hesitate to let us know!
