Cleaning a surfboard is simple if you know how. Learn how to clean your surfboard, remove wax from surfboards, and get some tips!
- Allow the old wax to melt in the sun, but be careful not to leave it out in direct sunlight for longer than five minutes.
- Remove the soft wax with a wax comb (or an old credit card).
- Wipe the board down with a clean cloth and then from side to side with a citrus-based surfboard cleaner (or coconut oil). Always follow the directions on the label and test in a small area before applying it everywhere.
- Wax your surfboard to a high enough standard so that it may be re-waxed.
Cleaning a Surfboard in 5 Easy Steps
1. Place Your Surfboard Near Sunlight
The first step in cleaning your surfboard is to remove all of the old, sandy, and unclean wax that has built up over time. You may not have allowed for it if you haven’t done it before, but it’s easy to lose focus when it comes to re-waxing a fresh layer after each one.
Don’t be discouraged, though! To begin, you’ll need to set your board in an area with plenty of sunshine.
If you don’t like the appearance of your hair, this will help remove the wax. If it’s a gloomy or rainy day, you may use a hairdryer instead. Just be careful not to apply too much heat from the sun or an artificial source since you can damage your hair.
2. Create Diagonal Cuts with Wax Comb
Then, take the wax comb with the serrated edge and make diagonal cuts in the wax going both ways, resulting in diamonds. Because of this, it’s easier to remove the wax because the comb has encountered and cut through a greater surface area.
After you’ve made enough cuts through the wax, turn the comb around and use the sharp and straight edge to scrape off the wax. This might take a few tries to remove most of the wax, depending on how many coats were used.
3. Apply Warm Water to the Surfboard
If there are still small, cloudy patches of wax on your board, fill a pan with warm water and soak the residue. The wax should be soft enough to wipe away with a warm, wet cloth at this point.
4. Apply Surfboard Cleaning Spray
Use the wide-angle spray of your surfboard cleaning kit to remove any obvious wax from the surface. There will still be some residual amounts that aren’t visible, however. The surfboard cleaning solution is where this comes in handy.
Over the deck, provide an even but thorough coating of the spray. It’s critical to do this since wax has been known to cling to various locations on the board, especially when kept with surfboards.
The instructions will differ based on the spray, but they should remain for how long without being wiped away as instructed. You’re ready to wipe away when the right amount of time has passed.
5. Wipe Down Surfboard with Coconut Oil
The final step is to give the entire surfboard one more thorough clean. If you like, you may use coconut oil as a coat. This adds some extra conditioning and a nice, glossy finish to the board.
Dampen the wood with a damp cloth as needed. Allow it to dry fully before applying another layer of wax or finishing spray.
Cleaning Tips for Surfboards
Using a cloth or sponge to apply the cleaning solution instead of a tea towel leaves no marks on the surfboard’s surface.
Soak the board in water, then use a clean cloth to apply it in circular motions until the board shines once more. You may also rinse the surface with a little water after that, but make sure to allow it dry before applying another layer of wax.
