Waxing is an extremely important part of surfing and can oftentimes mean the difference between catching a great wave and wiping out. But as the great Mr. Miyagi once said, wax on, wax off. But how often should you be taking it off?
So how often should you take off wax from your surfboard? You should take off wax from your surfboard at least 4 times a year. Though this depends on your personal preference, how dirty your board is getting and how often you surf.
Why Is Removing Wax Important?
The most important thing in surfing is the grip. Without it you couldn’t turn, stand, sit or shred on your surfboard. However, after days, weeks or months of surfing wax begins to weaken. Many people outside of the surfing world don’t know what surfboard wax is or what it is for. However, understanding the basics of a good wax job can make the difference between a great sesh and a just okay one.
A large number of surfers wax their boards with a fresh top coat before every surf session. You may forget to wax then paddle out and quickly realize something isn’t right. When your chest rests on the board with little wax, you’ll find yourself slipping off and even having a hard time paddling out, especially in rough water. So, after catching your first wave, you may have popped up and slipped. Sometimes you need to be reminded of the benefits of wax the hard way. Because let’s face it, when a board is dirty, sandy and covered in old wax, you’re bound to slip. And when you’re bound to slip, you can truly only shred so hard.
What’s The Difference Between Base And Top Coats?
The base coat sits on the board’s top deck side and should only be removed and replaced 4 times a year or so. After this layer, you apply the top coat. Both layers will need to be replaced every so often. The right time is completely up to you. But to explain the relevant reason to do so we will have to imagine the surfing experience. You pack the board. Ding it a few times while loading and unloading. It sits in the car, on the roof or in the back of a truck. Some people use board bags, others don’t.
But either way, the board is bound to get beat up. Your wetsuits press against it, rubs up on it and scraps the wax clean off. Your feet smash it, the sun melts it and waves crash into it. Every second, something in our universe is acting on your board and more importantly the wax. Hence why some surfers like a fresh top coat of wax every time they surf.
Why Do You Have To Remove The Base Coat?
Here is where it gets complicated because some people think a base coat will last forever. Wrong. Like a car tire, it needs to be replaced. Imagine the warm water melting off your top coat. Then your feet, hands, and board shorts rub off the bottom coat. No matter what, top coat wax will not effectively stick to the fiberglass or polyurethane deck your surfboard is made out of.
That’s why we have two coats. Like painting, you have a base coat and top coats so that the paint sticks to the wall. And when the base coat on your board is compromised, or when the two layers mix with dirt in the water, they no longer work as effectively as they were designed to do. This is why it is important to remove wax regularly. With a fresh set of wax, you will have more grip than without it or with old wax.
How Do You Remove Wax From Your Surfboard?
Old wax is a problem. It adds weight to the surfboard but loses tackiness, becoming useless. Learn how to properly remove wax from your surfboard and leave it clean for a new layer of grip. In theory, surf wax should be continuously replaced by brand new grip. The slightly adhesive feel that you need to avoid unnecessary slippery wipeouts can only be fully guaranteed if you constantly remove old wax and establish stickiness with new product.
Every surfer postpones wax work a little. This is because it’s tedious and it’s easy to believe the board’s still good to go when you’re itching to surf. But it really is simple to remove old wax in no time at all. If the sun is shining, it’ll be even easier. Many surfers also have to adjust their gripping needs in different water temperatures. You may need to remove and replace wax frequently, so it’s important to figure out the best way to do it.
First of all, make sure to carry quality surf wax in your gear bag. It’s inexpensive, and has a big impact on the quality of your future surfing sessions. Get a good surfboard wax comb with an inward curve on one of the sides for running the wax off over the rounded rails, a citrus-based wax remover or “The Pickle”, a popular eco-friendly solution to removing wax.
So how do you remove that old dark wax? If the day’s warm, put your surfboard under direct sunlight. The old wax will soften and melt like butter. It takes about five minute. If the weather’s not sunny at all, pour hot water over the deck or use a hair dryer to heat it up. Alternatively, start scraping the surfboard with the sharp edge of your wax comb/remover. Create a pattern; from tail to nose or from rail to rail.
Once the main job has been completed, remove any remaining sticky bumps one by one, until the original color of the surfboard is visible. Spray the citrus-based wax remover over the board, as well as onto a clean rag or cloth. Wait 30 seconds, then clean the deck, using circular motions until it is dry. Forgot your wax remover? Use a credit card. Have you run out of citrus-based wax remover? Pour pure melted coconut oil over the board, or sprinkle beach sand and rub off the last bits with a wooly towel.
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Remove Wax?
The honest answer to this question is that it depends. Some surfers love riding on a clean white coat of wax while others couldn’t care less about the looks. If you’re a shortboarder who surfs multiple times a week, you may want a fresh, thin coat of wax each month. But if you’re a longboarder who only surfs on the weekends when there’s some swell, you can probably surf on the same coat of wax until the temperature changes. Remember that wax adds weight, so you don’t want to pile it on too thick.
Changing your surfboard wax depends on how often you surf. If you surf every day, then there is a good chance that you are going to need to at the very least reapply before every surf session. Over time it will build up and create a gooey and slippery mess. In this event, you can use a wax comb to rough up the built up wax making it tacky again. Eventually however, you are going to have to strip the old wax and reapply a fresh coat.
How Do Water Temperatures Affect Which Wax You Use?
So if we go back to the concept that you should change your wax seasonally, this is because different water temperatures require different types of wax. If you’re going on a surf trip where the water temperature is different, you will need a different kind of wax than you usually use. Cold Water Surf Wax works best in temperatures ranging from 50 to 58 degrees. Areas such as Northern California will require this type of wax for the best performance. Cool Water Surf Wax works best in temperatures ranging from 56 to 68 degrees. Most spots in Southern California will have a water temperature in this range, so a cool wax will work perfect.
Some brands even carry a Cold/Cool brand just in case the water temp drops overnight. Warm Water Surf Wax is great for a warm day in California or a cooler day in Hawaii. A warm water wax will work in water temps ranging from 66 to 76 degrees. And finally, Tropical Water Surf Wax is your go to wax when surfing in a tropical climate such as Hawaii or Costa Rica. Use this wax when the water temp is 76 degrees and above.
What Are Some Things To Avoid When Waxing A Board?
The first thing you to remember is that you should never apply wax to a dirty board. Whether you’re applying wax to a brand new surfboard or re-waxing an old board, be sure to get rid of any old wax, dust or dirt. If you don’t, your basecoat will not stick. A tip for removing old wax is to put your surfboard out in the sun for a couple of minutes or use hot water to soften the wax prior to scraping it off with your wax comb.
You should also avoid being too heavy handed. When applying the topcoat don’t press too hard. Rub it softly across the deck until you have a good coverage of small bumps. Your choice of wax will depend on whether you’re surfing in cold or warm water. You should rough up your wax with a wax comb or add more wax prior to each surf, and removing and reapplying your wax when it starts to get dirty or lose its adhesiveness. Aside from a few cardinal rules, most of waxing is based on preference so feel free to experiment and find out which technique and wax fits your surf style best. Above all, you want to make sure you’re comfortable and stable on your board and aren’t slipping just as the waves are getting good.
What Kind Of Wax Should I Buy?
Not all surf wax is created equal. When it comes to selecting the right wax for your local waters the first thing you should do is consider the ocean temp. Most surf wax manufacturers make products for tropical, warm, cool and cold waters. Use a cold-water wax in the tropics, and it’s going to melt right off. Use a tropical wax in the cold, and you’ll be lucky to even get it on your board. Know your water temp and pick your wax accordingly. If you don’t use the right surf wax, you’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place. Some popular wax brands include Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax, Sticky Bumps, Mrs. Palmers and Bubble Gum Surf Wax.
How Do I Figure Out My Wax Preferences?
Figuring out what kind of wax and how much wax you like comes down to just that: preference! If you’re not surfing very often you don’t have to worry about removing the basecoat too often but should still make a habit out of doing it at least 2-4 times a year. Besides that, research what water temperature you’ll be surfing in most, buy a wax that’s catered for that temp and experiment with how much wax you like on a board! Feel free to ask locals what kind of wax they like and feel free to try out a few different brands until you find the one that truly floats your boat…or in this case board. Happy surfing!