SURF WAX GUIDE

Surf wax is probably the most important accessory for your surfing. We have searched and sourced the world's best surf wax made right here in Australia and provide a selection of surfing wax for sale online to suit all Australian water temperatures and regions.

HOW TO WAX YOUR SURFBOARD - TIPS

• Start with a clean board - don't mix wax types or brands - surf wax is made specifically for certain temperature ranges and so has a different mix of ingredients. Mixing surf wax types effectively changes the formula and performance of the wax
• Base coat - the only exception to the above is some people like to use a base coat wax - this is basically a very light even layer of tropical wax (which is the hardest) and it can help the other wax form up nice bumps on top. This method is a matter for personal preference and might not work with all wax brands.
• Don't put the board on a hard surface when waxing - avoid concrete etc. You can put a lot of pressure and side-to-side pressure when you wax so can damage the board or fins. On your lap (or grass) is often the best.
• Some people starts by drawing diagonals lines on the board with the corner of a wax block - this can help create nice even bumps after you start. Once again a matter of personal practice and preference.
• Start with smaller, even, pressured wipes, using the edges of the block. Turn these into circular motions and then longer strokes and circles.
• The idea is to create small regular little bumps over the board.  The wax should naturally create bumps rather than a single even flat coat
• Don't create a big thick layer, especially with the wax we sell which only needs a light coat.
• Good wax technique comes with practice and personal style!
• Shortboards - no need to wax the board nose to tail (unless you plan on landing airs reverses on the nose) Focus on the areas where your feet go
• Longboards - these do tend to be waxed nose-to-tail, especially if you want to hang ten. Mini-mals not so much
• Adding more - for each new surf session you only need the lightest touch up to add a fresh bit of stickiness. The wax we sell sometimes doesn't even need a touch up.
• Dirty or Thick wax - once your wax is dirty or thick it's time for a fresh coat!
• Wax Combs - if you need to use a wax comb you probably have too much wax on your surfboard! The wax we source doesn't need to be thick to provide grip. If thinks get thick and lumpy clean it off and start again! We only use a wax comb for removing wax or if we have run out and only have an old wax job!

PROTECTING YOUR WAX JOB

• Don't leave your board wax up in the sunshine for even the shortest period of time. Always put your board either out of the sun or wax down. Once wax melt and re-sets it loses it's magic mix and really should be taken off and started again.
• Avoid getting sand and dirt in the wax by making sure the nose or tail is propped up on something.  The wax we sell is great at not picking up dirt etc.
• Avoid cooking your board and wax in a boardbag in the sun. Keep it wax down even when in a bag. Leaving in a hot car can melt the wax too.  Once again if it melts it helps to do a fresh job.
• Don't mix way brands or types - each one has a special mix of ingredients and mixing them doesn't do the brand justice.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SURFBOARD - TIPS TO DE-WAX

1) Equipment

• Wax comb or similar remover (eg old credit card). Nothing sharp like metal that will scratch your board. Soft edge plastics.
• A cloth or rag - this is the most used part and will most likely be thrown away after
• Mineral acetone - this is for a proper wax removal when you need to say stick on a tailpad or sell a board.   No need to use this if you intend to re-wax as non-mineral acetones can actually remove a thin layer of the board surface

2) Soften Wax - Remove Bulk with wax comb

• Remove the bulk of thick wax with a wax comb to strat
• To soften the wax use the sun - you can put your surfboard, wax up, in direct sunlight for approx 10 minutes.  If it's strong, hot sun, then this can really melt the wax so keep an eye on it. Don't do this for too long as cooking your board in the sun is never a good idea
• Secret tip - use a hair dryer - yes this is our favourite method (but maybe not for the hairdryer owner) and is great in cold climates, at night or anytime really. When indoors put down a floor covering like an old sheet as bits of wax will end up on carpet or floor.  The trick is never use the hairdryer on high direct heat up close in one spot for even the shortest period of time. Extreme direct heat will damage your board.  Keep the hair dryer moving, start far away, and work closer concentrating on one smaller section at a time. The idea is to warm and soften the wax. If the wax turns to liquid and starts moving you have already gone too far.  Use a cloth to wipe off regularly as you keep moving from section to section 

3) Soften Wax - Remove last amount with cloth

• Once the bulk is removed and you have thinner layers use the cloth to really clean off the rest
• Use the sun again or the hairdryer as per above
• You can allow the wax to go a little liquid here to wipe of cleanly but once again don't risk too much heat
• Keep wiping with fresh clean sections of a rag until your board looks brand new!

WAX VS DECK GRIP

• Deck grip is more popular as a tailpad or tail patch.  This area gets a lot of pressure from the back foot and a tailpad not only provides better grip, it also protects your board above the fin plug area which can suffer from pressure dings around the fin plugs
• Tailpads also features raised arches and raised "kickers" for performance surfing
• You don't normally need a tailpad on a longboard
• Deck grip is no longer popular on the top half of the board. It can give bad chest rash if surfing in boardshorts or even damage a wetsuit. Some people still use it but it's not very common.
• Stand up paddle boards need full deck grip and not wax
• It is best to use a combination of a tailpad and wax on shortboards, fishes and shorter minmals
• You can see our tailpads for sale here

SURF WAX TEMPERATURE CHART

WHERE TO BUY SURF WAX

Surfboards Direct sell all types of surf wax online. You can buy surfboard wax and have it delivered to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Australia wide. Our online surf wax store features wax for surfing in all water temperatures