How to wax a surfboard, step by step
Five steps, with a picture for each. Tick them off as you go, and pick your water temperature first so you grab the right wax.
By SurfSpotGuide EditorialPublished January 1, 2025
What you need
- Base coat wax, a hard, sticky bar that works at any temperature
- Top coat wax rated for your water temperature
- A wax comb, for scraping and for refreshing the surface
- A clean, dry board, ideally waxed in the shade
Your progress
0 of 5 steps done
First, pick your water
The base coat is the same everywhere. The top coat is the one you match to the water temperature.
Use cool-water wax on top
Stays grippy in cooler water. The default for most year-round California surfers.
SoCal winter, NorCal summer, East Coast spring and fall
Clean the surface
Start with a clean, dry deck. On a new board, wipe it with a clean cloth. If there’s old wax on it, strip that first (see “Remove old wax” below).
Tip: wax in the shade. Rubbing makes heat, and wax smears if you do it in direct sun.
Lay down the base coat
Hold the bar on its edge and draw diagonal lines from rail to rail, about 2–3 cm apart. Cross them with diagonal lines the other way to make a diamond pattern. Then rub small circles over the crossings so the wax builds into small, hard bumps.
Keep it thin. You’re building bumps, not a smooth layer.
Add the top coat
Switch to the wax rated for your water temperature. Use small circles with lighter pressure than the base coat. The bumps are already there, so the top coat fills in and builds them into a tacky surface.
Tip: use a different colour for the top coat so you can see where each layer is.
Cover the right areas
Wax everywhere your feet, hands and chest touch the board. On a longboard that’s most of the deck. On a shortboard, wax the back foot area and the middle of the board, and leave the nose end bare.
Guides differ on how far up a shortboard to go, so treat this as the common approach. If you have a tail pad, you don’t need wax at the back.
Test it, then touch it up
Run your fingers over the wax. It should feel sticky and resist your touch, with the bumps still standing. If it feels smooth, add more. Before each session, refresh it with a few quick rubs of top coat wax or a wax comb, in criss-cross lines.
You don’t repeat the full process every time.
Remove old wax
Tick them off as you go.
Common mistakes
- Using only one type of wax. Skipping the base coat means poor adhesion.
- Applying wax in smooth strokes instead of building bumps.
- Using the wrong temperature wax for the water.
- Not waxing enough of the board. Missed spots mean slipping.
- Leaving the board in a hot car. The wax melts, and the board can delaminate.
Wax we'd buy
Buy the pack rated for your water.
We may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend gear we'd ride ourselves.
Sticky Bumps Original Surf Wax (3-pack)
Sticky Bumps · Amazon
The everyday default — match the temp rating (cool/warm/tropical) to your water.
Mr. Zog's Sex Wax Quick Humps (3-pack)
Sex Wax · Amazon
Stickier bumps and the iconic coconut smell — a cult favorite for good reason.
Bubble Gum Surf Wax (6-pack)
Bubble Gum · Amazon
Best value in bulk — soft, grippy, and cheap enough to re-coat often.
Don't buy the wrong gear.
Our free Beginner's Surf Guide has the exact gear checklist — what to buy first, what to skip, and how to pick a board and wetsuit that won't hold you back. Free, instant.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need to wax a foam surfboard?
Most foam soft-tops have a textured deck that provides grip without wax. However, many surfers add a thin layer of wax to the standing area for extra traction, especially on older or worn boards.
How often should I wax my surfboard?
Touch up with a wax comb before each session. Do a full strip-and-reapply every 4–8 weeks, or whenever the wax becomes smooth, dirty, or discolored. Always reapply when traveling to different water temperatures.
What happens if you surf without wax?
You’ll slip off the board. Without wax (or an alternative like traction pads), there’s no grip for your feet during the pop-up or while riding. Your board will be essentially unrideable.
Can I use candle wax on a surfboard?
No. Candle wax has the wrong melting point and texture. It won’t create the bumpy, tacky grip that surf wax provides. Surf wax is specifically formulated for water temperature and friction. It costs $2–5 per bar.
What is a traction pad?
A traction pad (deck pad) is a foam grip pad permanently stuck to the tail of the board as an alternative to wax in that area. Most shortboard surfers use a rear traction pad plus wax on the rest of the board.
Get wax and gear at a local surf shop
A surf shop will have wax rated for your local water.
Find surf shops near youMore Surf Guides
Don't buy the wrong gear.
Our free Beginner's Surf Guide has the exact gear checklist — what to buy first, what to skip, and how to pick a board and wetsuit that won't hold you back. Free, instant.
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