THE WAX THREAD!!!

I'm gonna start waxing my own boards this season.  I just took my two plus my wife's board to the shop and that shiz is getting expensive.  I'm going to get a Walmart iron and some wax and just have at it.

Hey I just got my board waxed and tuned at a local shop. I am wondering how do I know if they did a good job cause I really don't see much of an improvement by looking at it. Theres even some dirt left from last season. 

I was gonna wax mine by hand this year but my shop has a card for free waxes with every board purchase so I'm just gonna take it there all the time as long as they do a good enough job.

Originally posted by JDiggidy Welcome to the club man.  I think waxing and repairing your own ride gives you more ownership in it too.  Gives you those warm fuzzies.

Definitely true.  I got all my stuff and set it up this weekend.  I waxed my old beater first, just in case anything went horribly wrong.  It was actually a lot easier than I expected.  Did Mrs. Cooperla's board next, again in case it got ruined somehow!

$10 iron from Target
$15 for wax and a scraper from REI
$2 brush from Home Depot.

And i bought some grippy rubber door stoppers to hold the board in place (instead of clamps).  Kinda MacGyvered the whole setup but it works great.

Nice work man, the door stopper is an especially great idea.

what kind of brush do you guys use?

Awesome post derbytownjoe, this really helped!

Originally posted by AndrewCoxx So i want to get myself set up to wax my own board this season... what would you suggest would be the best CHEAP hot wax to get? And how much would be enough to last a season?

I like the Dakine Nitrous cake Wax All temp. For $10 you can get 180g which is plenty to last the season, assuming you're waxing every 5 or so trips.

Originally posted by jcarlo So are regular flat iron (for clothes) alright to use to wax a snowboard?

As long as it doesn't have holes in it, it's perfect.

Originally posted by AndrewCoxx So i want to get myself set up to wax my own board this season... what would you suggest would be the best CHEAP hot wax to get? And how much would be enough to last a season?

Nice photo of your setup, Cooperla. Kudos.

Originally posted by gsoccer04 [...] You can use one with the steam holes in it as well.... Just use it on a low enough heat to melt the wax and not burn it. And just keep it somewhat clean if it does get any build up around the ports. No need for a $50 wax iron when a $3 thrift store iron will work just as well.

I use a folding travel iron -- no holes for steam -- that I got for $1 at a thrift store. It just doesn't work as well as my buddy's waxing iron, that he got on sale for $20 or something like that. The rounded bottom edges of his iron float right onto the wax drips, and get them flat and spread out quickly. With my $1 travel iron, the edge crashes into the wax drips. I have to tilt the iron a little to get onto the drips, and getting a nice even coat takes noticeably longer. The iron I have works for now, but I'll be watching for end-of-season sales on waxing irons made by Swix etc.

^l have that too, its fine, just be sure to hold your wire so it doesnt melt. i actually dont use the bag it comes it, i find it hard to put back in unless l get the wax off properly

Originally posted by patman765 I'm starting to wax my board now and I've been using just a basic old beat up iron. But for Christmas I think i'm gonna pick up the Dakine Super Tune Kit just so i have it all. Does anyone have anything good to say about it? The reviews are somewhat neutral so I was just trying to see if anyone here had tried it? Thanks.

I have it, it's decent. But get a better scraper than the one that comes with dakine. Gets dull really quick.

this is a great collection of info!!!!

me personally, l dont see much of a difference. l now just use all temp wax 

l think its just a marketing scheme to be honest. Just use any wax and it will have same effect 

brand VS brand doesn't matter.  for the most part it's just the same paraffin waxes, and the additives used are usually the same too, depending which type of wax it is.  there are only a couple examples where the formulas actually differ, like hertel's hot sauce.  that's not to say there is a performance difference, but we're just talking formulas here.

What do you guys reccomend for sharpening scrapers at home?

Quick question, after having my board hot waxed at the shop is it good practice to cold wax it after a day of riding or I'm just wasting my time?

rub on wax?

if you really meant rub on wax, l say no need, just hot wax every 3-5 days 

do shops let you bring your own wax when you want your gear waxed? and if they do do they give you a discount for bringing your own wax?

I just bought the last few items I need to do it myself too. My buddy has been using the SVST Ultra wax on mine when he's done my boards in the past.

You can just buff it on. No need to strip anything. It will strip itself off in a few runs. It is really good, if you are racing, but isn't a long term solution.

as vermont rider pointed out already. rub on wax is temporary. usually for racing or if midday your board is really dried out and you dont want to pay the mountain to hot wax your board. if you think about it, rub on wax isn't melted and thus it doesn't get into smaller pores in your board nor will it go as deep.