Wakeboarding is a fantastic sport. However, there are certain responsibilities that come with it. Apart from learning how to maintain yourself safe, you must also have a understanding of how to clean your wakeboard and wakeboard tower.
Maintaining your wakeboard and accessories in good working order is critical and sensible. That’s because the condition of your tools has a big influence on how well you perform. In reality, ignoring your board and tower might result in severe injuries.
Today’s blog post will guide you through all of the methods for keeping your wakeboard and tower in good shape. You’ll learn what to do and what not to do when it comes to maintaining the quality of your prized possessions. Let’s get this party started!
How to Clean Wakeboard and Wakeboard Tower
The wakeboard and tower, in particular, need regular maintenance. That is only to be anticipated; these two products are frequently the most costly!
To begin, let’s go over how to maintain your wakeboard clean and flawless. We’ll get into wakeboard tower maintenance in more depth later.
How to Clean Wakeboard
There are 4 key principles to maintaining cleanliness and functionality of your wakeboard.
- Rinse off with freshwater
This step is critical for wakeboarders who surf in the ocean. Your wakeboard will require a powerful spray of clean water to remove all the salt after hours of exposure to the corrosive sea spray.
There are a variety of reasons why you should wash off the salt. The first is that it can lead to wakeboard structural failure. Because the salt water is corrosive, metal parts on your wakeboard are vulnerable to corrosion, and it’s critical to eliminate the salt water as soon as possible.
Even the rubber or fiberglass components of your wakeboard are not immune to saltwater’s harmful effects. Some customers may notice a gradual discoloration on their board. If you don’t wash off the salt water fast enough, this happens.
Sometimes, a brief washing isn’t enough to remove all of the salt from your wakeboard. There may be numerous hidden pockets and corners on your board, depending on its design. Saltwater and sand may cling there obstinately, delaying the process.
It’s also important to wash your wakeboard in the proper manner. If sand clings to the smaller components, use a toothbrush to clean them thoroughly.
I personally prefer surfing in fresh water. Many people may believe it is not necessary to wash their wakeboard after using it in the water for so long. But that’s incorrect, and you must clean your wakeboard.
Grime, in addition to dust and debris that your wakeboard will pick up regardless of where you use it, is a huge reason for this. Washing it after each usage prevents discoloration and deterioration. You’ll thank me later if you follow my advice.
- Keep away from direct sunlight
You’re probably familiar with the notion that you need to sun your wakeboard after washing it. Wrong! You should never dry your wakeboard in direct sunlight. In fact, seek to keep it out of the sun as much as feasible.
When you’re wakeboarding, you’re in broad daylight. When you’re done, however, you should move it into the shade as soon as feasible. It prevents the materials from being damaged by the sun’s harmful radiation.
When purchasing a used wakeboard, there’s always the possibility that it’s been exposed to the elements and hasn’t seen much use. This is frequently due to excessive sun exposure or lack of usage.
Aside from aesthetic concerns, you should store your wakeboard in a shady location for functional reasons. Plastic and rubber components will deteriorate over time if the wakeboard and its accessories are exposed to excessive sunlight. This can lead to accidents and serious financial losses.
The simplest solution is to store your wakeboard in the shade. After washing, hang it somewhere with some shade but also enough ventilation and a breeze to allow it to dry. Because water slides off almost instantly, drying time isn’t affected by board size.
It’s a good idea to hang the bindings upside down. You may suspend the life jacket and ropes from a sturdy hanger and air dry them as well. After everything has dried, store it in the garage. Make sure you’re not storing wet clothes. Mold is an inevitable result of this.
- Keep away from oil or lotion
No matter what you’re doing on the beach, it’s a given that you’ll be wearing sunscreen or some sort of tanning oil or moisturizer. However, avoid applying these chemicals to your surfboard and its parts.
Because oils, lotions, gasoline, and other petroleum substances are harmful to your board, they will not corrode it. They can cause the materials in your bindings to deteriorate. Furthermore, these may make your bindings slippery, which is a recipe for disaster.
Even if you inadvertently drip oil or lotion on your board, make sure to wash it away as soon as possible with fresh water. If you’re in a bind for lubricant, use water or better yet, binding lube.
- Regularly check for deterioration
While it isn’t a part of cleaning your wakeboard, lubricating the equipment is still an essential step. Check all of your gear for any flaws, rips, fractures, and fraying before each outing on the water.
When you’re on the water, anything looks like a harmless scratch or line may develop into a fractured area. Make sure your fins are properly fastened, since if they’re loose, they’ll sink and you won’t be able to find them. Without fins, you couldn’t perform any of your impressive wakeboard tricks.
Furthermore, double-check that the bindings and screws are secure. Do all of this before getting in the water. If you discover an issue, correct it right away. Before purchasing a wakeboard, double-check all of the small details as you would before buying a bicycle or skateboard.
To prevent discoloration and deterioration, some people wax their boards. Some even use abrasive cleansers. I only recommend using clean water and mild soap. If you have any doubts about how to properly clean your wakeboard and bindings, it’s best to contact the manufacturer.
For example, you’re wearing CWB gear. What does the acronym CWB stand for in wakeboarding? It’s a company that produces a wide range of boards and bindings, and they’ll be able to tell you how to get hold of any specific sort.
How to Clean Wakeboard Tower
Wakeboards are generally constructed of two distinct materials. As a result, naturally there are two distinct methods to clean. Continue reading to learn about both options.
- Polished aluminum
Metal can be corroded in the marine environment just as it can on land, and your wakeboard tower is no exception. Make sure you know whether your tower is polished or anodized; they’re rather different to keep.
Because the polish is smooth and has a mirror-like shine, polishing aluminum is simple. Water tends to roll off the surface, reducing the risk of corrosion.
Pollution in the air is more likely to cause scratches on polished aluminum structures, since corrosion is less probable. Polished aluminum towers are typically affected by pollutants in the air that might scratch the surface. If you take good care of your tower and polish it on a regular basis, this has much lesser chances of happening.
In general, it’s a good idea to clean your tower with clean and fresh water after returning from the lake. Wipe down your tower if the water is hard or has residues if necessary. Otherwise, there will be unsightly water marks on the wall.
If you’ve never cleaned your tower, there may be flaws on the surface right now. There might also be mineral and pollutants residue that won’t go away after washing with simple water and mild soap. If that’s the case, you’ll need to use an aluminum polish once the surface dirt is gone.
Keep in mind that polishing too often or severely might be worse than no polishing at all. It’s also not a good idea to use abrasive chemicals on polished aluminum. Furthermore, you should avoid mixing different cleaners.
- Powder-coated finish
The powder-coated finish is more matte than polished finishes, and it’s also more durable. Damage can still occur, however. Powder-coated buildings should be cleaned with water after every use, just like polished aluminum.
It’s also important to note that regardless of how filthy you think the tower is, it should only be cleaned with water and mild detergent. Using rough clothing or a sponge is out of the question, as is using a harsh brush.
You may use white spirit if you feel the need to use anything stronger than water and soap. However, check with the manufacturer to see whether even that is allowed. It will aid in the long-term preservation of your wakeboard tower’s structural integrity.
Tips to Help you Maintain your Wakeboard Tower.
- Make certain you don’t cut corners when it comes to keeping the tower clean. If you fail to clean it after every usage, dirt will accumulate and then cleaning it will be a time-consuming chore.
- When purchasing accessories for your wakeboard tower, make sure they are made of marine-grade materials. This implies the speakers and lights must be waterproof or at the very least water resistant. It’s also a good idea to invest in ones that are resistant to rust.
- After each usage, you should inspect the wakeboard tower before going out on the water. Make sure all of the bolts, nuts, and screws are secure and tight. This will help prevent any unpleasant incidents while you’re out on the lake.
- The wakeboard tower is made up of your marine lights. You should maintain the lights in good working order even if you only go out on the water during the day because they may come in handy during an emergency. Using a mild glass cleaner, keep them clean and bright.
- For a wakeboarder, the wakeboard racks are the most essential component of the tower since they contain all of your cherished equipment. Treat the racks in the same manner you would your boards. After every usage, wash off the salt water and dry it properly. Clean it once in a while with a mild soap. A polyester cover is also available to keep it clean when not in use.
- Keep an eye on your mirrors, just like the lights and racks. Allow no water spots to form on them. Clean them with a glass cleaner, and you may also purchase mirror covers.
- You may clean anodized aluminum tower with a metal wax and a rug if it is made of that material. When cleaning the tower, use caution to choose a polish or wax that is designed for anodized aluminum.
- You could be tempted to use hot water to clean your wakeboard tower, but this is a really poor idea. If there’s dirt that’s tough to remove in hard-to-reach locations, all you can do is brush it away with soap and water.
Conclusion
I’m hoping you now know how to clean wakeboard and wakeboard towers after reading this blog post. Even before you start learning how to wakeboard, this is the information you should have. It’s something that everyone should learn.
Now that you know, make sure your wakeboards and wakeboard tower remain as clean and corrosion-free as possible. Prevention is preferable to cure, and regular maintenance may save you a lot of time cleaning and repairing in the future.
