Snowboard wax: is it necessary and how to apply it?

A brand new, just bought snowboard has a protective layer that lasts for a long time and allows the board to glide flawlessly on the snow. But the grease does not last forever, over time it will wear off, and the inventory will require a new one. Usually - in the form of paraffin.

The sliding surface should not lose its properties, and therefore, if such a sad moment has already been outlined, it must be saved. Or rather, to renew the lubricant. And so far nothing better than paraffin has been invented for this purpose. The nuance is that one board of the initially waxed surface will last for a season, the other - after a couple of descents, a new layer is needed for sliding. Experts assure that snowboarding prevention should be done at least 2 times a year: before and after the season. And paraffin helps with this.

When applying grease, the board will be protected from damage, it will glide better in the snow (which is directly proportional to the developed speed), and the wooden base of the equipment will be protected from excessive moisture and sudden temperature fluctuations.

The very first board grease is a universal one. She, as a rule, does not cause any complaints in quality, and should hold on for a long time. But self-polishing cannot turn to such a tool, it requires a choice.

There are several types of paraffin wax.

• Hot wax. Many experts polish only with them, believing that nothing can protect the snowboard better than this tool. And such a coating will last on the board, indeed, for a long time. And to apply hot paraffin, an iron is used.If the frost is severe, a coating with a blue mark is required, if the weather is warm enough, grease will be needed with a red mark, and universal products have a yellow or orange mark.

• Rub-in paraffin wax. This is the best option if the surface needs to be treated between runs. It is rubbed quickly, it is not difficult. True, it won't last so long

• Paste paraffin... And he sticks to the board even less. This is a liquid product that is enough for a couple of runs, and then you have to apply a new dose. It is sold in cans or ampoules, as well as in sprays. You can apply paraffin with an applicator, spreading the paste over the board with it. In warm weather, this remedy is used much more often.

It is necessary not only to understand the types of paraffin, but also to understand which one is needed in a particular situation.

There are at least 10 variations (queries) that will require adjustment in the choice of wax.

Let's figure out how to choose the right paraffin.

• Universal grease is used if you are going to ride at temperatures from –4 to –15 ° С. And in a situation where it is not clear what the temperature will be, it is also better to use a universal composition.

• Ice wax is used if there is a threat of rapid wear of the snowboard.... It has pronounced antistatic properties, that is, it really improves sliding.

• Warm grease should be selected if the temperature has risen above –7 and reached + 2 ° С.

• Cold paraffin is taken if the temperature is in the range from –7 to –23 ° С. With this lubrication, the snow will not stick to the board.

• Hydrocarbon grease is a blended compound. It is needed for those who prefer a quiet ride. It will also be a good option for handling storage boards for routine cleaning.

• Fluorinated grease is needed to speed up the board.... The more fluoride in the mixture, the faster the snowboard goes. But this is far from the most environmentally friendly composition, that's something to remember.

• Racing grease reduces friction indicators, that is, increases speed.

• Granite grease the antistatic properties of the board can be improved.

But brands should not be particularly looked at: for an ordinary fan of boarding, this is superfluous information. Highly competitive lubricants are needed by professionals who aspire to become world champions, they have the board itself, and all service procedures also work for future medals. For lovers, the usual line of care products is enough.

Among the tips of the same pros is to give priority to hot paraffin. It is the most persistent, and this is an advantageous quality, but it is difficult for a beginner to cope with application. Additional accessories are required, which are called "irons" or "irons".

This is usually not required. After the purchase, the boards are still protected with a layer of grease, and it should serve for quite a long time. The manufacturer applies a basic protective layer, and it is not worth making it even stronger - the best is the enemy of good. If the snowboard is rented, then waxing is also not worth it, because this is the task of the distributor.

But a sign that it is time to wax the board is the appearance of whitish spots on the board (they are especially noticeable on the dark part of it). If roughness appears on the surface of the inventory, then the board also requires paraffin. Ideally, it should be completely smooth. Whether there is a paraffin layer on the board is checked as follows: you need to run your fingernail over the surface that is in contact with the snow, and the paraffin will be felt. But if the wax is not felt, it's time to apply it.

It will take time and patience to apply the protective layer. And also you need to follow the algorithm, do not rush, do not break it.

Here's how to wax your snowboard at home.

1. First, the surface of the board must be cleaned from both dirt and wax residues. This is done with a special cleaner, but you can use the same hot paraffin wax. Spread it over the surface, do not let it dry, and hurry to remove it with a scraper. Dirt and dust must be removed completely. This procedure is completed by sanding the board, for which a soft cloth is used (but you can also use a felt cloth).

2. It's time to apply the hot wax. It is melted with an iron or a hair dryer, and then evenly distributed over the sliding part. In the edge zones, the mixture must be compacted, since in these areas the paraffin wears off faster. You need to lean the paraffin against the hot plane of the iron, and then evenly drip it onto the inventory. And after that, the paraffin is carefully smoothed out with an iron. The composition will completely solidify in half an hour.

3. The surface needs to be scraped. The pores are already filled with wax, now you can proceed to cleaning the board from excess grease. Smoothness can be achieved with the help of scraping - this happens with the participation of a cycle, a special scraper. As a result, the board will glide perfectly.

With such a glossy snowboard, you can go on the slope - it will glide flawlessly!