According to many manufacturers, wax is made from stable components and cannot go bad as easily. Does snowboard wax go bad? Can you use surf wax on a snowboard? Proper maintenance and storage will help you prolong its shelf life until you use it all up. However, learning about the types of wax and other adhesives can allow you to plan and estimate their shelf life.
Do you ever ask yourself whether snowboard wax can go bad? Using regular solid wax, whether or not it is plant or hydrocarbon-based, will not go bad, owing to the stable components it consists of.
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The Importance of Snowboard Wax
Winter sports professionals also know that skis and snowboards require special preparation before using them. There are high-quality sliding and adhesion for boards in the snow, a large number of different types and types of lubricants: waxes, ointments, gels and sprays, and paraffin (including accelerating tablets, etc.). The choice of a snowboard wax depends on the purpose of use, the type of terrain, the weather conditions. Another important segment to consider is the amount of money you want to invest in the preparation of winter equipment and accessories.
The main function of lubricating the clutch or handlebar is to minimize jerks during classic driving. In this case, the ski wax is properly applied in such a way that the grease is located in the center of the ski surface. With the help of this interaction between the grip and the ski, a successful push can be made. As a result of this, a certain pressure will appear in the central part of the ski. This grease binds the surface of the ski and the snow.
Tip: You should note that some snowboards do arrive factory waxed.
Lubricant Application Methods
Sliding and clutch lubricants also differ in composition, which also determines how they are applied to sports equipment. The following types of adhesives include different compositions and types of paraffin (wax) with microcrystalline:
Solid Adhesives
Solid lubricants (wax, paraffin) for sliding are applied by melting iron (special or general use). The general problems involving this procedure are the disadvantages of such fats as the process requires practice. Over time, however, it is only a matter of habit.
Such lubricant (paraffin) should be applied to the previously cleaned surface of skis or snowboards from the previous layer of paraffin. Cleaning is usually done with special pads and dry cloth. Then, gradually increasing the degrees of iron involved, we bring and press the paraffin on his sole while waiting for it to dissolve.
Drops of such wax drip on the surface of the necessary sports equipment, whether it is a snowboard or skis. Then we iron the surface of the sports equipment, evenly distributing the drops of lubricant and letting it cool down. Next, you should remove the excess paraffin by scraping, using a cycle. Finally, polish the surface of the coating with a thick cloth. More detailed application instructions are included in each package of purchased wax lubricants.
The firm adhesive is packaged in jars or briquettes and is usually simple to apply. Opening any container with a similar lubricating coating, we turn it and apply (can or briquette) rubbing it on the surface of winter sports equipment block or snowboard). Then we grind the lubricant again with a special rubbing plug until we get a uniform smooth layer.
Liquid Adhesives
Liquid lubricants for adhesion and sliding are available in tubes (enemas with universal ski wax) and jars (with applicator and solvent, also known as the “lazy” fast fats). They are applied to the surface and rubbed with a special scraper-spatula or by rubbing cork.
The special feature of such lubricants is that when applying them, the air temperature must be strictly taken into account. Each gradation of temperature conditions corresponds to the color of the packaging with grease.
- 0 … −2 C (purple ski wax);
- −2 … −8 C (blue ski wax);
- −5 … −12 C (light green ski wax);
- −10 … −25 C(dark green ski wax);
- −15 … −30 C (black ski wax).
You can apply liquid lubricants by cross-mixing. Try applying a drop of one type, after a 2 cm drop of another, and then rub the sliding surface of the ski or snowboard to a uniform glossy layer. During the off-season, professional athletes advise having several types of lubricants with them. The reason being is due to the different temperature distribution and in case of unpredictable changes in weather conditions and snow resistance.
As in the case of solid lubricants, before applying liquid products, skis or boards must also first be cleaned of the old paraffin layer, and only then continue to apply the new one. If you are worried about the variety of colors and the number of jars (or enemas), they will be satisfied with universal (“lazy”) liquid lubricants for cross-country skiing, because they are also excellent for +3 for -5 (for example, universal lubricant from the skis manufacturer Swix).
Spray
They are generally used as a kind of accelerator. They differ from other lubricants in their high price and composition (aerosol containing fluorine), as well as in the simple method of application (they do not need a scraper), which is why they got the name – “quick application ointments”. A great choice for cross-country skiing.
Pastes
Pastes are also expensive. Created based on the latest technologies, they also belong to the ointments for quick application. Snowboard fans and professional cross-country skiers have brought them wide popularity. Unpretentious alternative to solid wax. This includes other types of lubricants, such as emulsions or gels.
How to Care for Winter Sports Equipment
As for plastic sports products for riding, care and lubrication will require financial investment, time, and a little skill, which is indicated in more detail in the previous description of the types of lubricant classifications. Therefore, we will focus on another point of material for making skis or snowboards – “wood”.
With all the modern variety of sports equipment for winter walks, wooden skis and boards are still “on the price”. Even though “plastic” has several advantages, “wood” deserves no less attention than products made from more modern materials.
If we are talking about caring for such equipment, then it should be clarified that for wooden skis or boards it is sufficient to use strong and cheap homemade lubricant for grip (holding). But it is worth remembering that if you have a wooden cover in the old style, the surface should be sanded beforehand – before applying the lubricant.
Consider also the location of the wooden ski block, as a rule, it is the “deviation” of the middle part of the ski. On the surface of this middle area, professional athletes apply grease for a warmer temperature regime, while the rest of the surface is treated with the grease at a lower temperature. Such a cover for wooden skis is enough on average for 10-15 km. If your distance is greater, you should take care in advance of the presence of fat on the road.
Rather than going bad, some components may not be as cohesive and may even leave a mark on the board or skis, especially if you are a fan of all-white winter sports equipment.
Impurity Aspects of Paraffin Adhesives
Among a large number of impurities and elements of wax lubricants, the most well-known are lubricants that contain hydrocarbon elements or the presence of fluorine.
Hydrocarbon Wax
Hydrocarbon waxes are more common than others. They have excellent water repellency and are quite easy to use (hot and dry method). Among this type of adhesive, there are universal and temperature-oriented fats. This universal type of wax is cheap and a common option for any category of winter sports fans. These lubricants work great on long walks but are completely unsuitable for driving in competition.
Hydrocarbon fats have excellent water repellency They have the following advantages: easy gliding due to excellent water repellency; dirt protection. We should not forget about the minus – such a coating is quickly erased from the surface of the equipment, so it should be applied often. Temperature-oriented waxes are used by professionals in specific temperature situations. This ointment contains special substances that act at certain temperatures and give a good glide.
Fluorocarbon Wax
Fluorocarbon waxes have excellent water-repellent properties for the best gliding on snow. There are several types of such waxes:
- low fluoride level – used with snow moisture less than 60%;
- medium fluoride – from 60 to 80%;
- high fluoride – more than 80%.
Fluorocarbon substances are more expensive than waxes that contain the main part of paraffin. Such a lubricant is certainly a better choice and you should use it less frequently. Also, it is quite simple to distribute it evenly over the surface of the equipment.
So, Does Snowboard Wax Go Bad?
No, snowboard wax does not go bad. The steady components will not allow it to melt or anything similar (but only in case you keep it in a closed container and a dry colder space). As is the case with any type of paste or ointment, it is always recommended to keep it in a cool and dry place, so the stability of the components is not jeopardized.
Finally, learning about the characteristics of the spectrum of the products is half the knowledge that you need. Depending on the type of product, application, and maintenance, you might need either professional assistance or frequent maintenance. It is important to have your snowboard or skies waxed during your winter vacation, as well as during the storage of season. Learn about the application and the differentiation between products and you will be good to go!
