subject: How To Use Your Snowboard Iron [print this page] Of course, the primary tool that you will need in applying wax to your board is a serviceable iron. If you absolutely need to wax your board, but don't have a snowboard iron, you can use an old iron that you have laying around the house, as long as it doesn't have holes in the bottom. But, if you can afford it, it is best to get a snowboard waxing iron. These irons are calibrated and marked to give you the appropriate heat for the various types of waxes that you need.
Odds are that you will be able to purchase a proper snowboard iron for twenty five dollars or so. And if you can find a used one, you will probably spend even less. Having a proper iron will lessen the chances of you overheating and smoking the wax and ruining your wax job.
People gradually find their own methods of waxing their snowboard. But, there are basically two main ways of applying wax to your snowboard. The first way is to hold the wax against the heated iron, letting the wax drip on the base of the board and trying to get an even coverage throughout.
The second method of applying wax to the snowboard is to simply rub the board directly with the wax. Then, holding the wax to the iron, melt it just a little bit and rub a very light second coat of wax on the board. Those who like the second way think that it doesn't waste as much wax. They also believe that there is less chance of damaging the base. To find your own preference, try it each way to see which you like better.
When the board is heated, it becomes more absorptive. This makes it easier for the wax to fill in the tiny pores and crevices within the base of the board.
Next you want to remove the excess wax from the board. This helps to obtain a smooth surface on the board. Hold your scraper with both and begin to scrape the excess wax from the board. Your strokes should be from back to front.
Once your scraping is completed, take a hard brush. Then scraping from back to front, simply smooth the board's surface. You can give it a fine finish with a soft brush.
To finish off your board waxing properly, polish your board. It is a simple process. To do this you can either use something like high density cork block which works well as a polishing tool. Or you can use something like a Scotch Brite pad.
One of the biggest choices that you will make is in your choice of scraper. When selecting a wax scraper, you basically have a choice between metal or plastic. If you have waxed your board before, metal is the obvious choice. It is much easier to scrape wax with metal than with plastic. As a result, your waxing will go much quicker. In addition, metal blades lasts much longer than plastic ones which tend to dull a lot quicker.
If this is your first time attempting to wax your board, however, you will most likely find it easier to use a plastic scraper. You won't damage or gouge your board with a plastic scraper. Whereas, if you are inexperienced, you can easily gouge your board with a metal scraper. Once you become proficient in the waxing process, then you can change over to a metal scraper.
