How to Remove Wax Without Scratching the Surfboard

Skiers and snowboarders use wax on the bottoms of their skis and boards to make the surfaces smooth and reduce friction against the snow. Surfboard wax has quite the opposite effect -- you put the sticky stuff on the deck, or top, of your surfboard to help your feet keep traction as you ride the waves. Surfing wax stubbornly sticks to your surfboard, but with the right tools and technique, you will remove it without any scratches or damage.

Things You'll Need

  • Hair dryer
  • Old credit card
  • Denatured alcohol
  • Rag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the fins from your surfboard if possible.

    • 2

      Place the surfboard, deck side up, in the sun for 30 minutes. Alternatively, use a hairdryer to warm it up until the wax turns gooey.

    • 3

      Scrape the wax off with the edge of a credit card. Take care to push the edge of the card across the deck, rather than down into the deck.

    • 4

      Wet a rag with denatured alcohol and rub the surfboard with the rag to remove residual wax.