Wax On, Wax Off

It’s sticky, it’s gooey, it melts, and can get all over the place. Yet without wax, we’d be doing nothing but slippin’ and slidin’ in ways we don’t intend! Here are some insider tips on how to control the grippy glue.

WAXING IT UP

Everybody has their own preference as to how much wax they like on their stick – some like it thick, some not so much. Some use base coat, others just rub the top coat on with little thought. If you’re someone who likes to create the ultimate bumps, try some of these tips:

  • Use base coat. It’s hard to get on, but will make putting the top coat on much easier.
    • If you want to get really fancy, try drawing images with the base coat. When you wax your board with the top coat, your creation will be visible.
  • Don’t press too hard when applying the top coat. Using relatively light pressure will allow the top coat to build up on itself, creating nice bumps.
  • Apply the top coat using opposing motions. Some prefer circular motions, while others use an x-like pattern (along the board in one diagonal direction, then along the board in the other diagonal direction… first ////, then \\\\).

STRIPPING IT OFF

Taking all that gooey, sticky stuff off your board can seem like a daunting task, but if you know a few tricks of the trade, it’s smooth sailing.

  • On the beach?
    • Simply melt your wax in the sun. Toss sand on it so that as the wax melts, it is absorbed by the sand. Remove the melted wax with either a wax comb or your hand. CAREFUL!! The wax is hot and can burn you!
      • BE SURE TO COLLECT AND DISPOSE OF YOUR USED WAX. Once removed from the board, it should be relatively cool, solid and easy to condense into a ball for easy disposal.
      • This method CAN affect your polish job, but is the easiest, less-mess method.
  • At home?
    • Scrape the bulk of the wax off with a wax comb. Use a “pickle” to remove all the excess wax.
      • Don’t have a “pickle?” Look at the DIY below!!
    • WD-40 can also be used to remove excess wax, as well as shine up your polish.

Tricky tricksters… Check out this DIY project! Pantyhose Wax Remover…