Are there different types of surfboard wax?
You should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the different types of wax and what works best for specific boards and conditions. Water temperature is the most critical factor when selecting what surfboard wax to use. Essential musts when surfing the board include your basecoat wax, topcoat wax, and wax comb. Layering too much wax on your surfboard can be counterproductive.Surfboard wax helps provide a surface your feet can grip when you ride the waves. Without wax, it’s very easy to slip off your surfboard. It’s important to take off old wax and reapply a fresh coat on a regular basis so the wax doesn’t build up.There are two layers of wax that you need to apply to your board: a base coat and a topcoat. Your basecoat will be the first layer of wax. This coat, which is usually harder, ultimately holds down your topcoat and will help you keep your balance whilst surfing.At some point surfers had discovered they could coat their wooden longboards with a thin layer of sand-infused varnish, which increased traction but also scraped their knees, chest, feet, and thighs. In 1935 a teenage Al applied a small amount of liquid floor wax to the deck of his surfboard, and liked the results.You can wax your board before each session if you see fit to do so. Now, with that logic, we highly recommend that you do a full cleaning and re-waxing every two to three months. Unless you surf every day and wax every day, then we recommend cleaning your board slightly more often per season/year.
How to choose a surf wax?
Choosing the right surfboard wax is important for your session, choose a wax that is too soft for the climate and your feet will move around, too hard and you won’t be able to get the grip you require. Surfboard wax is generally composed of a mixture of paraffin, beeswax and petroleum jelly to create a softer wax. Sticky Bumps has been a dominant force in the surf wax market since its inception in the early 1990s. The brand prides itself on producing high-quality wax that provides surfers with exceptional grip, ensuring they can stay on their boards even in the most challenging conditions.RSPro HexaTraction and Cork Traction are the best surf grip alternatives to wax.How often you wax your surfboard is mostly up to the temperature of the water you’re surfing in. The warmer the water, the more will melt and wear off the board while you’re using it. Expect to clean and re-wax your board quarterly as build-up of old, non-sticky wax can prevent new wax from sticking.Traction pads are the most popular alternative to surf wax. Traction pads provide a solid grip, making it easier for the surfer to maintain their footing on the board. They also protect the board from damage caused by the surfer’s foot.Sticky Bumps Punt Bits – 10x Stickier WORLDS STICKIEST SURF WAX – PUNT wax offers NEXT LEVEL adhesion with a 10X grip rating sure to keep you locked and loaded. Made with the highest quality blend of natural tackifiers / natural mineral waxes. Use in conjunction with basecoat for best results.
What is the difference between warm and cool surf wax?
Surf waxes are generally classified according to the water temperature for which they are designed: Cold wax: for water below 14°C, for example, FCS Cold wax is a suitable option. Cool wax: for waters between 13°C and 19°C, like FCS Cool wax. Warm wax: for waters between 18°C and 22°C, FCS Warm wax is recommended. How often you wax your surfboard is mostly up to the temperature of the water you’re surfing in. The warmer the water, the more will melt and wear off the board while you’re using it. Expect to clean and re-wax your board quarterly as build-up of old, non-sticky wax can prevent new wax from sticking.Surf wax is categorised based on temperature ranges. Cold wax is suitable for water temperatures below 58°F (14°C), while cool wax is ideal for temperatures between 58-68°F (14-20°C). Warm wax is designed for water between 64-74°F (18-23°C), and tropical wax is for temperatures above 75°F (24°C).If you try to use cold water wax in warm water, it will soften and slide right off the board. And if you try warm water wax in cold water, it will be hard as a rock and provide little-to-no grip.Today’s Surf Wax is a high tech version of the old candles and paraffin that was originally used on surfboards for traction starting in the 1940’s. Today’s wax is formulated to work in specific temperatures.RSPro HexaTraction and Cork Traction are the best surf grip alternatives to wax. They provide excellent grip, are sustainable, and offer a permanent solution that will last for years.
What are the disadvantages of warm wax?
It is also less painful compared to strip wax because it adheres to the hair rather than the skin, reducing discomfort during removal. However, hot wax can be more time-consuming to apply and requires precise temperature control to avoid burns or ineffectiveness. Hot wax adheres better by allowing for more effective hair removal from the roots. Cold wax, on the other hand, does not adhere as well to coarse hair and might not remove hair completely. For convenience and portability, hot wax is more messy and might cause burns.For longer-lasting results, hot wax removes hair from the root more effectively. For convenience and portability, cold wax is more convenient because it does not require pre-heating and comes in ready-to-use strip format.Both hard and soft waxes should last around the same length of time. However, hard waxes can be more accurate at removing smaller hairs. Hard wax, which is applied directly to the skin and removed without the assistance of strips, adheres to hairs as small as â…™ of an inch.For larger areas and fine hair, soft wax is a quick, effective option. For sensitive areas and coarser hair, hard wax is gentler and provides a less painful experience. Understanding these differences can help you or your clients achieve smooth, long-lasting results with minimal discomfort.
Which type of wax is best?
There are two different types: soft wax and hard wax. Although both do a good job of removing hair from the follicle, hard wax is better for smaller, more sensitive areas like your bikini line. Soft wax, on the other hand, is a better option for larger areas like your legs. Different wax types are better suited for specific treatment areas. For instance, hard wax is often the preferred choice for facial and intimate areas due to its gentle application and removal process. Soft wax, on the other hand, is commonly used for larger body areas like arms, legs, and back.Today’s Surf Wax is a high tech version of the old candles and paraffin that was originally used on surfboards for traction starting in the 1940’s. Today’s wax is formulated to work in specific temperatures. Wax that has been made for colder water is much softer and stickier than wax made for warm water.Hard Wax is the Basecoat Soft wax also works, but it is more practical to use a more durable wax as a base to save you the trouble of continually reapplying wax. Hard waxes are ideal for tropical temperatures and hotter waters because they provide better grip and are more durable during these conditions.Choosing the right surfboard wax is important for your session, choose a wax that is too soft for the climate and your feet will move around, too hard and you won’t be able to get the grip you require. Surfboard wax is generally composed of a mixture of paraffin, beeswax and petroleum jelly to create a softer wax.
Should I remove old wax from my surfboard?
How often you wax your surfboard is mostly up to the temperature of the water you’re surfing in. The warmer the water, the more will melt and wear off the board while you’re using it. Expect to clean and re-wax your board quarterly as build-up of old, non-sticky wax can prevent new wax from sticking. All you do is mix 2,250 g of beeswax with 750 ml of coconut oil. First melt the wax, then warm the oil and stir into the wax. Stir well, stir some more, and then continue stirring.Surfboard wax (also known as surfwax) is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax for application to the deck of a surfboard, bodyboard, or skimboard, to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling out or riding a wave.Lay out all of your tools along side the surfboard on the grass. Note: Being neat and tidy will help you a lot during this task.Here is where the flour can help you. A lot. Just sprinkle the flour onto the softened wax and as the flour binds to the melted wax and turns into a flakey, non-stick material, makes it really easy to sweep up afterwards. You can use acetone (in low quantities) if you want to get it 100% fresh, wax-free shiny look.