Properly waxing your surfboard will allow you to have better traction and stability on your board while you are surfing the waves. Properly waxing your board with Sticky Bumps before getting into the water is equivalent to showing up to school with the right materials for your classes. Both situations will be easier to get through if the necessary steps are followed or materials are remembered.
1. The right type of Sticky Bumps wax
Your Sticky Bump preference will be determined by the water temperature you are planning to surf in. In warmer water, you will need to purchase a warm or tropical type of wax because these will hold up best in temperature above 69°F. Whereas cool or cold waxes are ideal for colder water which is anything classified as 68°F and below.
While you could technically apply a cold wax to a surfboard going into water that is say 89°F, it would just be a waste of your time. As soon as your board hits the warm water the wax will actually begin to melt off and disappear because it is not designed for the water temperature that it was exposed to. Whereas, if were to try and use a warm wax in colder water temperatures the wax would just begin to harden in the water, removing any of the intended tackiness from it.
This is why ensuring that you have the proper type of Sticky Bumps wax for your intended water temperature is important. Having the wrong type of wax on hand for your sticky bumps can prevent you from being able to surf that day until you get the right type. If your wax were to melt or harden while you are trying to stand up and use your board, you could be seriously injured from falling.
2. Remove any old dark wax left on your board
Old wax tends to be less effective as it loses its intended tackiness and hardens the longer it sits. It can turn a dark color such as grey which tells you that it’s time to scrape it off and begin again. Cleaning old wax off of a surfboard may seem like a tedious task but it is easier to do than one would think.
You can begin by actually leaving your surfboard out in the sun on a hot day, as the sun will do a lot of the leg work for you. The sun will begin to heat the wax, causing it to soften for you. This process should happen relatively quickly depending on the current temperature of where you are.
Once the wax has melted enough you can begin to scrape it off of your board until you reach the paint. At this point, you can utilize a wax cleaner to remove any excess wax left. This step is not necessary every time you scrape your board, but it should still be done frequently to keep your board in good shape.
How to Paint a Surfboard Before Glassing. Learn more here.
3. Find a Shady Area to Apply your Sticky Bumps
While this step may seem like an obvious one, it can be easily overlooked by many people. That is ensuring that you are applying your wax in the proper conditions. This also includes taking proper care of your wax, such as ensuring that it is not left in direct sunlight before or after it is used or dropped in the sand. You do not want your wax to get covered in a material such as sand because it will never be fully clean again afterward.
Similar to taking care of your wax, you will need to make sure that you are not applying your new Sticky Bumps in direct sunlight or leaving your board out after freshly applying it. Exposing the wax to direct sunlight can cause it to melt as you start the application process and be a complete mess ruining the result that you want, which are the Sticky Bumps.
4. Applying your Sticky Bumps properly
When it comes to the actual application of the wax, the desired result of using Sticky Bumps is to have hundreds of tiny bumps across the deck of the board to help with traction. The deck of the surfboard is the top of it, where you stand as you surf or lay down as you paddle out to the waves. The rails of the board run down the sides of your board from the nose (which is the front foot and a half or so of your board) to the tail (the end or back of your board) expanding the entire length of your board.
As you begin to apply the wax you should ideally begin with a light even layer to ensure that the following coats will apply easier. From there you should start to apply the wax lengthwise in long strokes down the deck, following it with sideways strokes going from the left rail to the right rail, across the strokes previously made. If done properly you will begin to see tiny bumps forming that will help to provide you with the traction you will need while surfing.
Follow this pattern and apply a few different layers of wax to your board to build up the traction and form solid bumps on your board. If the bumps start to lose their shape or look irregular switch the direction you are applying your wax in to return, them to their dot or bump shape.
Following these four easy steps can help you to properly apply your Sticky Bumps in a timely manner, just in time to catch the next wave coming in. Plus, each time you apply your Sticky Bumps will help save you to time in the future as you become a pro at doing it.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.