What Is Skateboard Wax Used For? (Explained)

skateboarder grinding on a ledge

Skateboard wax is used on objects that skateboarders want to grind. It polishes the railing or sidewalk so that the deck or trucks can glide easier without causing as many scratches or wear.

Skateboard wax is used on both the boards and the rails, making it a skateboarder’s best friend. It certainly provides the best companion for a skater. Applying the finest skate wax won’t cause it to break down.

What Is Skateboard Wax?

Skateboarding wax is generally created from a paraffin base, and it aids in the reduction of friction when sliding or grinding down rails, curbs, and other hard surfaces. Naturally, slides and grinds result in friction, which can make trajectory execution more difficult.

This is when skate wax comes in handy. The wax will smooth out the surface of what you’re grinding on, allowing you to complete your 50-50s without stopping short.

Whether you’re buying your first board or getting into tricks for the first time, you’ll need a skate wax that keeps your board sliding as smoothly as possible while protecting it. Keep in mind that smoother surfaces are typically more slippery when treated with skate wax, so test the areas you’ll be skating to avoid making them too slick.

Where Do You Apply Skateboard Wax?

Skateboard wax can also be used to coat the bottoms of boards, as well as the surfaces you’ll be grinding and sliding on. All you have to do is massage some on the surface you want to perform tricks on, as well as the bottom of your board, to apply. The more skate wax you use, the more slippery (and your board) will become.

How To Make Homemade Skateboard Wax

Skate wax is a difficult-to-find commodity, and buying it on a regular basis may be costly. You can make your own using a few different approaches. Here are the instructions for utilizing any candles or crayons that you don’t want:

1. Preheat your oven to 150 degrees

Allow your oven to warm up for 5 to 10 minutes. Because most waxes have a low melting point, keep your oven temperature below 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Prepare your supplies

Remove any paper and wicks. You’ll also need some vegetable or olive oil. Collect any unused candles or crayons (any old, broken ones you just knew you’d have a use for) and break them up if necessary.

3. Put your pieces of wax in an oven-safe container

It’s critical that the container you employ can handle the melted wax. Glass bowls, such as those from Pyrex, are oven-safe and make excellent wax melting containers.

4. Add some oil

Add a teaspoon of vegetable or olive oil to the wax. This makes the wax more pliable and enables you to apply it to your board easily. Add no more than a teaspoon, or your wax will be too soft and crumbly.

5. Put the wax in the oven

Melt your mixture. This should take approximately 10 minutes. Keep an eye on your wax while it melts to ensure that it doesn’t catch fire. Once melted, remove the wax from the oven and set it in the fridge to harden. You can now remove the wax from the container and apply it to the surface you desire to smooth.

Best Skateboard Wax

Shorty’s curb candy skateboard wax.

Shorty’s Curb Candy Wax comes in a pack of four skateboard wax pucks for under $15. Each puck looks like a small bar of soap and is marketed as “candy for the curb.” They are each slightly larger than an eraser at one inch in size.

Take a look at Shorty’s skateboard wax at Amazon.

What To Look For When Buying Skateboard Wax

There are a few things to remember when looking for the best skateboard wax before selecting the best kind for you. It should have the following attributes to be the best skateboard wax. 

Cost

When you buy anything, the cost should always be evaluated. Let’s be honest that we can’t afford to pay more for anything that isn’t worth it in today’s market. The next consideration is how simple the product is to apply. It should be both easy to use and suitable for people of all ages.

Brand

The manufacturer of the wax is also something to consider. Examine for trusted brands that make high-quality goods. Furthermore, to get the best outcomes, quality and performance are essential. Each component of the wax must fulfill its role in order to create a gliding surface that is sleek and smooth.

It would be better if we could find a wax that can endure longer. We don’t want something that runs out after a few uses, and it will be costly in this case.

Trusted brands of skateboard wax:

  • Shorty’s Curb Candy
  • Spitfire Head Skateboard Wax
  • Santa Cruz Screaming Hand Curb Wax
  • Krux Ledge Love Skateboard Wax
  • Independent Kurb Killer Skateboard Wax
  • Grizzly Bear Skateboard Wax

What Can You Use Instead Of Skateboard Wax?

If you can’t get hold of prepared skateboard waxes, you may use several different skateboard wax alternatives. Skateboarders have used these things for years as a substitute for skating wax. Professional skaters have confirmed and tested that some of the curb waxes on the market are made using this stuff.

Candle Wax

Candle wax is cheaper than skate wax but it is very light so it doesn’t last as long. However, it still makes a pretty great alternative and you should be able to find a candle or two around the house if you’re in a pinch.

Soap

Waxy soaps make a decent substitute to store-bought skateboard waxes. It is cheaper and convenient but it not nearly as good as skate wax. Soap still makes a good alternative if you cannot get or afford wax.

Conclusion

Skateboard wax is important to use for your skateboard. It helps with the longevity of your deck and makes riding it feel much smoother. If you can’t get your hands on some, there are plenty of substitutes that work just as well. Be sure to try out a few and see what works best for you!

Candles, liquid detergent, and soap are all great substitutes for skateboard wax if you can’t access ready-made waxes. Each one has been proven to work well by professional skaters. Soap is a particularly convenient choice since it’s something that most people already have in their homes. Give a few of these substitutes a try and see which one works best for you!

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