Winter sports such as snowboarding and skiing are the only outdoor things available to keep us occupied. Such activities, in turn, bring with them a different set of difficulties. Kit and safety maintenance are necessary to prevent snow from building up on your skis or snowboard, improve the performance of your snowboard, and ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
People need to ensure that their skiing and skating equipment is in good working order and ready for use in the snow. Most of us not only wish for our snowboard to work better but also look new regardless of how often we hit the rocks. We have prepared a list of steps to clean a snowboard and maintain its look as good as new. So, let’s begin!
Why Is It Important to Clean the Snowboard?
A smooth base is required to obtain smoother turns, greater glide, and fast speed. To avoid a collision with the rock, regularly inspect the bottom of your ski or snowboard. Cleaning up the base regularly can help keep you safe from unfortunate events.
When Is the Right Time to Clean a Snowboard?
The most obvious sign that your snowboard bottom needs to be cleaned is if you can’t accelerate during riding. Furthermore, it is necessary to wipe the base of your snowboard if it becomes dull or looks like a dried plank.
Inspect the Snowboard for Visible Damage?
Inspect the Snowboard for Visible Damage? Always check for damages or fractures. You can overlook the damage that is smaller than .4mm deep. Repairing a shallow gouge using a P-Tex candle and lighter or torch is an option if the damage isn’t too extreme. You’ll need to visit your local snowboard store if you need something more serious.
Following are the steps to clean a snowboard that will ensure your snowboards and skis feel & look good as new again!
1. Wax Off, Wax On
For reducing overall friction, a pure hot wax will protect the foundation and keep your snowboards or skis in top condition throughout the season. So, how do you correctly wax and tune it, and how do you execute it?
A solution already applied to new snowboards or skis when you buy them is called “factory wax.” It’s important to wax your ski and snowboards frequently if you’re skiing in snowy weather.
2. Base cleaning
The first step to cleaning your snowboard is to wipe off the surface. You may use a moist towel or sponge to wipe the base. You must cover even the edges of the P-Tex with it. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes before moving on to the next step. Wipe it thoroughly after that.
3. Use a Wax Iron to Melt Wax
It would help if you preheated the wax iron. Temperature is quite important, and you’ll have to bring your heating iron as near as possible to the optimum melting point. The melting point of the wax you’re looking for is clearly marked on the package. It would be best to use strong waxes like Purl Wax (ASIN B00942X1UQ), RaceService1, or Swixor.
4. Coat It With the Heated Wax
Put the tip of the melted wax onto the board. To prevent the wax from solidifying, keep it in contact with the iron while it starts to cool. Use an iron to apply wax evenly throughout the area as you work. Don’t stop applying until its edges are completely covered. Wax must be applied evenly and in a fine layer covering the entire surface area.
5. Take off Any Remaining Wax That Has Cooled.
Once the wax has cooled down a little, you may begin scraping off the residue. Move your peeler from tail to tip in a clockwise direction. You must brush off the bottom and remove the remaining residual wax pieces for a glass finish.
6. Finish With a Brush
As soon as the extra wax is removed, take a wax brush, whether nylon or horsehair, to make microscopic holes in the wax coating traveling from tail to tip.
7. Prevent Corrosion
Maintaining and cleaning your snowboard is important to prolong life if you’re looking for methods to prevent rust without harming your snowboards or skis.
If perfection in your maximum speed and edging are important to you, a little corrosion on your snowboard kit isn’t a big deal. Keeping rust at bay is essential for ensuring your skis or snowboards are in good condition. So, how can you get rid of it and protect it from popping up in the future?
8. Remove the Rust Using a Scraper
Medium or fine-grit sandpaper will perform just as well and is less expensive than any other options. Remember that unprocessed burrs are a breeding ground for rust, so make a habit of frequently polishing your edges.
9. Clean It Lukewarm Water
Use warm water, a towel, and a little soap for cleaning your snowboard. The rusty particles and debris are removed by using this method.
10. Allow Your Snowboard to Dry Properly
After each usage, thoroughly dry your snowboards or skis, particularly the edges. Although if you’re going to be inside for 2 hours, don’t forget or keep your gear out in the cold.
11. Preparing the Sides for Off-Season
Even though it’s the last thing any of us want to do, we have to store our skis and snowboards for the winter. When you carry your skis or snowboards on a ski shelf, the snow tends to be watery and accumulates on the sides of the snowboard more often than typical towards the end of the show. It is also critical that you remove all of the rust from your equipment before storing it back for the season.
Lastly, to prevent your skis or snowboards from rusting in store, let them air dry fully before applying a thick layer of wax to the sides. Don’t remove this wax coating until next winter. That’s how you do it! Your gear must go on forever!
Our Final Thoughts
Non-toxic, fast-acting base and easy-to-use cleaners are the best for snowboard stores coating the snowboard with wax; use a strong cleanser that also cleans your snowboard’s bottom at the same time.
Keep track of your board across the summer and ensure it is properly waxed and tuned. Remember to preserve your snowboard at the end of the season carefully. Protecting or wrapping it and storing it upright in a cold, dry location. Let us know which of these steps to clean a snowboard were useful for you and if there are any DIYs that we have missed. We would love to know!
