How To Wax A Surfboard – Everything You Need To Know

Wax or no wax? That’s the question. Well, unlike Shakespeare’s question, this one has an easy answer. Wax! 

Whether you have a new surfboard or want to re-wax your old one, you must know how to wax a surfboard correctly. 

How many coats of wax do you put? Where exactly do I apply it? What wax will do the perfect wax job? 

All the answers to your questions are written in this blog post. So grab your best wax, get your surfboard ready, and put on your favorite song because we’re going to wax it up! 

How To Wax A Surfboard Step By Step 

There are many ways to wax a surfboard. Every surfer will do it differently. I will show you how I do it, but you can change and tweak anything to suit your desires.

Let’s jump right into it; I’ll break this into simple follow-along steps. 

Step 1- Find A Shady & Cool Spot

Imagine a candle. What happens when you light it up? It melts, right? Well, surfboard wax is the sibling of candle wax. It will melt on a hot surface. 

Find yourself a nice shady spot, and make sure your surfboard hasn’t been sunbathing beforehand. 

Pro tip: Put your wax in the fridge for about 10 minutes before applying it for maximum performance. 

Step 2- Have A Good Wax For Your Condition 

Each wax is good for different water temperatures. There is a type for warm tropical water and others for cold wintery waters. 

Identify the approx water temperature in your are and buy a wax that will hold in this range. 

Applying a tropical wax in cold water will not be as effective as applying a cold water wax on your board simply because the wax will not stick properly to your board. 

On the other hand, a cold-water wax might melt in warmer waters, causing residue and making the surface even more slippery. 

Step 3- Work With A Clean Surface

You want to have a clean space to work with, but most importantly, clean the deck of your surfboard. 

I recommend using a simple alcohol solution, a special wax remover, and a hand towel. 

If you’re re-waxing a surfboard, scrape all the old wax off before applying these chemicals. 

Let it dry for as long as it takes (usually 1-2 min) before the fresh wax. 

Step 4- Apply The Basecoat

The basecoat is the first layer of wax you put on the surfboard. This is the most important one and shouldn’t be skipped. 

Start by applying the wax in diagonal lines on one side and then on the other to form a criss-cross pattern. 

It’s important to keep your hand light and don’t apply much pressure. 

After you do the first coat, repeat for a couple more. Just go over the same lines, and the wax gets thicker. Wax sticks better on more wax than on the surface of the board. 

But wait, you’re not ready to head to surf just yet. 

Step 5- Applying The Top Coat 

Now, it’s time to apply the final coat on the surfboard. 

Start by waxing all over the base coat in a circular motion. Begin to apply a couple of layers, but don’t overdo it. 

A lot doesn’t mean better when it comes to waxing a surfboard. Too much wax can affect the way your surfboard reacts in the water. 

Now you’re all ready to hit the waves! 

Tips On Maintaining Your Wax 

First, I’ll say that wax is not a one-time thing. I wax my surfboard every time I go for a surf. 

This process is for a new or old surfboard that needs re-waxing. Here are some extra tips. 

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Putting your surfboard under direct sunlight will cause the wax to melt and become slippery. Softer wax means less traction with your feet. 

So, when on the beach, try to keep your surfboard under the shade as much as possible. 

Wax Your Traction Pad

I know the whole point of a traction pad is to provide traction, but while this is not necessary, it can provide extra grip.

Keep Your Wax In A Cool Area

I was excited to surf that day. I waxed my board and ran straight to the water. When I returned to the car, I realized I left my wax on the dashboard. 

As you may think, my dashboard was covered in wax! HAHA. 

But at least I learned a valuable lesson, and I can pass it on! 

Re-wax Regularly

Re-waxing your surfboard is crucial to keep your wax from becoming a mountain on your surfboard. 

Use a wax comb to scrape off the wax. Do it in lines from nose to tail and repeat until all the wax is scraped off. 

This is the only time when you can put your board under the sun for 5-10 min to soften the wax. 

Re-wax based on the duration in which you surf. If you surf everyday I would say re-wax your board once a month but if not you can get away with longer time between each re-waxing.

Conclusion 

Properly applying wax to your surfboard can be the difference between effortlessly riding a wave and constantly slipping and sliding.

With various wax brands and preferences out there, it is important to find a wax that works best for you in the specific water conditions you’ll be surfing in. 

By following the steps above, making sure to cover rail to rail and edge of the wax, you’ll leave your board with the perfect surf wax bump for grip.

Remember to rub the wax in a circular motion with light pressure to make it stick. Whether it’s a shortboard, longboard, or somewhere in between, these waxing techniques will work on anything. 

Before your next surf travel adventure, stop by your local surf shop to pick up a fresh bar of wax and perfect your waxing technique.