Snowboards need to be regularly waxed to keep the base running nice and fast. Applying a fresh coat of hot wax every few times you ride is ideal. Or if you notice that your board's base looks especially dry or seems to be running slow, now is a good time for a hot wax.
There are four things you will absolutely need:
- Wax:
Be sure to buy ski or snowboard wax that is designed to be applied with a hot iron. There are plenty of choices, but a good all-temperature wax will work well in most snow conditions.
- Scraper:
pick this up at your favorite board shop along with the wax. Plastic or metal scrapers are both fine, just avoid really wide scrapers that are sometimes marketed for snowboards - they don't scrape as well as the smaller ones.
- Iron:
now might be a good time to invest in an iron designed especially for waxing skis and snowboards. These are smooth on the bottom and therefore apply a nice smooth coat of wax. Or you can go down to your nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill and pick up a used household iron for a few bucks.
- Scotch Brite:
these rough green pads are available at any grocery store next to the kitchen sponges.
Some optional but helpful items:
- Base Cleaner:
if your snowboard's base is dirty, clean it using a base cleaner (find this at your board shop) and a rag before you hot wax it.
- Vices:
setting up a workbench makes tuning and waxing your board much easier. Vices are available that hold your snowboard in place while you work.