waxing--metal or plastic scraper--

Originally posted by batmanwest Oh, and I don't use plastic or metal scrappers, I use my cats. They love the attention, and their thick fur pulls all the excess wax off- win win.

Cd's and a rock??? Dude must be broke! Don't do it! Get a 5 dollar scrapper and call it a day.

Originally posted by fishkur Originally posted by vanoot Best of both worlds - plexyglass. I've experimented with metal and plastic and found that a sharp plexyglass scraper gets the job done. You can even make your own if you know what your doing - and you can get them in any size. What the hell is with all the thread digging?  It's like every topic about waxing or bumping boards in lift lines is being dredged from the forum depths today.

There is a certain member, that shall remain nameless as she knows what she has done!!, But anyways, her post contained pretty much a hyperlink to every single wax related thread on TS. It was an attempt to show the noobs, and not so noobs, there does not need to be another thread about wax. Problem is when so many links are broadcasted, it can have this kind of negative effect. The better solution? Get some more mods on here to, well...moderate.

Oh, and I don't use plastic or metal scrappers, I use my cats. They love the attention, and their thick fur pulls all the excess wax off- win win.

FYI, CD's work to scrape too.   Also you can detune a board with a rock.

Best of both worlds - plexyglass. I've experimented with metal and plastic and found that a sharp plexyglass scraper gets the job done. You can even make your own if you know what your doing - and you can get them in any size.

I use plastic and prefer plastic because if you mess up with a metal scraper you could ruin the wax on your board or mess your board up.

ya plastic ones get dull. go with metal.

Yes the kit is worth it, it is a lot cheaper than buying things separately and is worth it in the long run. The wax is crap but if you're broke then crap wax is better than no wax - especially if you wax frequently.

I usually use a plastic scraper but start or use a metal one when I'm in a hurry. If the plastic scraper dulls then put your file on a flat surface and file it down until the edges are sharp again - instead of buying a new one.

if you plan to wax your board yourself often, i haven't really found anything that quite matches a ~$7-$10 store-bought scraper. i've used a small piece of plexiglass from homedepot, and it works, but the thicknesses they carry are rather thin, making the job less efficient. ice scrapers work too, but they're usually kinda narrow, so you have to scrape more. lastly you could get true thick plexiglass or acrylic from an industrial supply, but the smallest piece you could buy would be relatively pricey.

start with a homemade scraper to see if you don't mind waxing yourself.. if you see yourself doing it for a while, pay for a nice one

I tried using a plastic ruler and ice scraper. I think im doing it wrong because its really hard to get to smooth. =/

Yes, a metal scraper can scrape wax off your base.  No, that's not what it's meant for.
One could also use a kitchen knife or a wire brush to scrape the wax off.  With proper care, you could do it right, but there is a better tool for the job.  That tool is a plastic scraper.

To summarize:
Waxing = plastic scraper
Base repair = metal scraper

woops. was too busy praising the kit but forgot to mention my scraper preference. i've been using the plastic scraper and been good with it so i just stuck with it after hearing the damage a metal one can do

i just use a plastic scraper which is does the job for me

The kit is fine except for the wax that it comes with.  

An ice scrapper that you use for your car windows does just fine.

I use metal first to remove the bulk ..then plastic...

plastic definitely

i tried metal over plastic this year and like it a lot better for scrapping. If I gouge the base I have only myself to blame for not paying more attention.

i don't want to risk it, so i just use a plastic scraper. But i 've heard that a metal one is better for scraping ptex off if you are doing a repair.

I don't have money to buy snowboard scrapers(plastic nor metal), I just use the ice scraper, it takes a while, but it works.

Originally posted by larry26 just so i dont have to make a new thread would it be ok to use one of the plastic "putty kinves" that you can get at a hardware store for like a buck?

Yes, this is exactly what I have used for two seasons.  Make sure to get a sharp one, or have a way of sharpening it while keeping the edge straight. Most of them have rounded or dull edges.

if you are experienced metal is the way to go but it sounds like you would want a plastic scraper

plastic

Plastic FTW, take your time and do it well.

The other tip is what we call scotchpads in australia (maybe the same in the US). Green rough pads that will shine your new wax job up beautifully.

Couldn't you round the corners off on the metal scraper so much so that the corners can never cut into the base?  Detune the scraper 

If you need the pointy corners, there's still the other side of the scraper.