How to Wax a Rough Curb Skateboard

Grinding and sliding a skateboard on curbs often requires some additional lubrication to prevent the board from hanging up and throwing you off. Dedicated skate wax is available for coating rough surfaces, making them easier to slide on. There's a specific way to apply skate wax to grinding surfaces, preventing it from becoming clotted or overly slippery. It's a trial-and-error process to apply the correct amount. Applying the wax correctly will also make your wax go further and last longer.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use the thin edge of the wax block and make steady strokes across the top surface of the curb. Apply gentle, even pressure as you make each stroke. If the wax is breaking apart and creating crumbs at the edges of the block, you are pressing too hard. Work methodically over the area, ensuring the whole surface is evenly covered.

    • 2

      Place the nose or tail of your board onto the surface and apply some downward pressure, as if you were standing on it, performing a nose or tail slide. Slide the board along the surface two or three times, to even out the wax and create a smooth surface. Look at the surface from an angle to try and catch the light. The wax should have a glossy, polished surface.

    • 3

      Set up and try your grind or slide, but approach a little more cautiously than you usually would. The surface may be much more slippery than you anticipate, so don't slam all your weight on the board as you would when traveling at full speed. Try and be a little lighter on your feet, to give yourself a chance to readjust and correct if things start to go wrong. Determine whether the quantity of wax is too little or too much, and either apply more or scrape some off.