How To Use A Wax Comb

To keep your surfboard slip free, you need to know how to use a wax comb.  A wax comb is great if you are poor or lazy because it allows you to get the most from your surf wax.  These handy tools can also make scraping old wax off a breeze.  Most people get these for free when they buy board shorts and have no idea what the hell they are.  My stylish, non-surfing friend had a collection of them and figured they were either cheap bottle openers or some sort of ninja throwing weapon.  If you have a friend like Frank, ask him for a wax comb.  Try and get one that comes with a fin key.

To use a wax comb, you will need:

• Wax comb
• Possibly the sun

1. The Miser.  Your surfboard will get slippery in between sessions.  To much stomping, sliding, friction and the sun can make your surf wax lose its traction.  If you look at your surfboard and your bumps are getting smooth, it is time to bust out the wax comb.  To use a wax comb is simplicity itself.  See the sharp prongs?  That is the comb part.  Rake the wax comb diagonally over the smooth wax and you will back in business in no time.     
2. The Brazilian.  There are times in life when you will have to strip off the old wax and slab on a new coat.  Maybe you bought a used surfboard, maybe you left your board in the sun too long or maybe you are just a neurotic clean freak.  Regardless, your wax comb can help.  On the opposite side of the comb part is a beveled straight edge.  This is the wax removal tool.  To make this an easy job, take off the fins and prop your surfboard in the sun to heat up the wax a little.  Half an hour should be fine unless you live in the tropics and then fifteen minutes is plenty.  Now put your surfboard on something soft, take your wax comb, use the beveled edge and gently scrape off the wax.  It will come off in strips and make a mess.

Tips:

• If you lack a wax comb yet need one, you can use sand.     
• You can only coax the wax back to life so many times.  Sooner or later you will have to buy or bum some more surf wax.