How to Keep a Snowboard and Avoid Rust

A snowboarder without his board is not much of a snowboarder. Care must be taken before, during and after riding to ensure the snowboard performs at its best. Without proper maintenance, the board will not slide, cut and carve as well as it should. As boards are generally quite expensive, properly caring for your board will ensure that it lasts as long as possible and performs as well as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Steel wool
  • Straight edge file (fine grit)
  • Cloth
  • Water
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the board with some fresh water. After your ride, wipe down the board with a cloth soaked with fresh water to remove any salt or other contaminants that may have been tracked onto the snow where you were snowboarding.

    • 2

      Wipe the steel edges on the underside of the board with a piece of steel wool. Try to concentrate on the bottom, side and the edge, without scrubbing down the edge itself.

    • 3

      Place a straight edge file across the underside surface of the board. The underside of the board should be flat, not concave or convex. If there is any variation along the underside of the board, have this corrected the next time you have the board waxed. If you find any nicks or gouges in the underside of the board, have it re-waxed to renew it and prevent the damage from spreading.

    • 4

      File the edges to remove rust and to renew the sharp edge. Pass the file from tip to tail, flat against the underside, then 90 degrees square against the outside edges. This will renew the edge and prevent any rust from eating away at the steel.

    • 5

      Check that the bindings are installed tightly against the surface of the board by tightening the retaining screws with a screwdriver.

    • 6

      Clean and dry the board using a soft, dry cloth. Moisture is the main cause of rust, and putting the board away without drying it will quickly lead to problems.