Wintersports
Snowboarding
Snowboard maintenance: A complete first-timer’s guide
Find a comprehensive guide to all things snowboard maintenance, from how to tune your snowboard to proper storage in the off-season.
When winter arrives and the mountains are blanketed in snow, there’s no better place to be than snowboarding down a frosty incline. Snowboarding offers an invigorating combination of stunning natural scenery with a great workout, and all skill levels are welcome.
If you want a smooth ride down the mountain, though, you need to take good care of your snowboard. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to all things snowboard maintenance, from how to tune your snowboard to proper storage in the off-season.
Detail of snowboard during the Winterwhip in Afriski, Lesotho
© Tyrone Bradley / Red Bull Content Pool
01
Basic snowboard maintenance
Cleaning after a ride
Your snowboard picks up dirt and grime while you’re riding, and this can gunk up your base and slow you down. You can keep your board in top shape with a light cleaning after each run. Using a mild solution of water and gentle dish soap, spray the base of your board and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, gently wipe off the soap using a damp rag, rinsing and repeating as needed to remove any soapy residue.
It’s super important to dry off any moisture before putting your board away, or else you risk your board rusting. Look closely at any nooks and crannies, especially around your bindings, and wipe your board down until it’s completely dry. Check your whole board, from edge to tail, for damage while you do this to spot any tears or scrapes while they’re easy to fix.
Waxing your snowboard
Wax helps prevent your board’s base from drying out and keeps you moving as smoothly and quickly as possible. Brand-new snowboards are already covered in factory wax, but most snowboarders prefer to lay down a fresh coat before hitting the snow. Waxing your snowboard every three rides is recommended — and learning how to wax a snowboard is easy.
- Clean the base. You should use a stronger base cleaner such as isopropyl alcohol or a citrus-based cleaner that you can get at snowboard shops. You can also use hot wax itself before you apply the next wax coat. You’ll warm it up with a wax iron and scrape it off immediately — the heat brings dirt to the surface. With either method, make sure to wipe down the board thoroughly so it’s clear of any residue.
- Heat the wax. Hold the wax up to your heated iron and let it drip over your snowboard. Move it all around the base so you get an even coating.
- Iron it out. Using a circular motion, run your iron over the base, smoothing out the wax over the whole surface. Like ironing your favorite shirt, holding it still in one spot will leave a mark, so keep it moving to avoid burning your board.
- Cool it down and scrape it off. Let the wax cool for 20 to 30 minutes, then use your scraper to remove the excess wax. Hold it at a 45-degree angle and scrape across the base in long, continuous motions. Double-check that your edges are nice and clean before putting down the scraper.
- Brush the base. To smooth everything out one last time, run a structuring brush from nose to tail. Now, you’re ready for your next ride.
Binding check
Detail of snowboards at the start of Red Bull Edge in Schruns, Austria
© Markus Berger / Red Bull Content Pool
You should regularly check your bindings to be sure all the pieces are in good condition. Make a habit of scanning your bindings for loose screws or other missing parts and testing out your binder’s brake arm function. Many snowboarders also recommend lowering the bindings’ release settings between seasons so the binding springs have time to rest.
If anything is out of place, you can remount your bindings using a multi-tool or a #3 Phillips screwdriver and a wrench. Some recommend adding a drop of glue to the screw holes (but not in aluminum honeycomb ski cores) to create a gear-safe, waterproof seal. You’ll still need to take your bindings to your local ski and snowboard shop for a professional check-up at least once a year, though. Make a habit of taking your bindings in before the season starts so you’re ready to go after the first snowfall.
Storing your snowboard
Your board should get a thorough cleaning before you store it long-term. Be meticulous about removing any dirt before you wax your board, and let it fully dry one last time for the season. You’ll scrape this wax off when you’re ready to ride next year. When you tuck your board away until then, hang it on a wall using sturdy supports rather than on the floor — and never on cement.
02
Advanced snowboard maintenance
P-Tex base repair
Your snowboard’s base is made up of a material called P-Tex. When you get large scratches in your board that can’t be buffed out, you can melt P-Tex into your board to fix them. If you’re doing this yourself, you’ll need a P-Tex stick, lighter, metal scraper, and a well-ventilated space.
After cleaning the base of your snowboard, you’ll light the P-Tex stick and hold the metal scraper closely underneath the flame. This helps prevent the stick from shedding too much soot, which can reduce overall P-Tex adhesion. You can tell if you're holding it at the right distance if the flame is small and blue rather than large and mostly yellow.
Once you’re ready, pick the spot you want to repair and move your P-Tex over that location on your board. Position it close to the board, just above and not touching it, and let the P-Tex drip onto the damaged spot. To keep the distribution even, rotate the P-Tex about halfway when you notice the lit tip starting to sag. As you’re ready to move on to the next spot, hold the P-Tex back above the scraper.
Knowing how to apply P-Tex is essential for keeping your board in tip-top shape. After you’ve done a lot of DIY repairs, however, take your board to the shop for a tune-up. Professionals can stone-grind your board so that you can ride with a nice clean slate. If you see gashes large enough to cut into your board’s laminate layers, it’s definitely time for professional repairs.
Edge tuning
Edges that aren’t sharp enough decrease your control, especially when carving. On the other hand, edges that are too sharp can more easily get caught, so finding the right balance is key. In general, the right level of sharpness is enough to file off the edge of your fingernail. Different styles of snowboarders will have their own tuning needs, though. For instance, freestyle riders may dull down, or detune, their snowboard’s edges for a more predictable ride.
To adjust your edge tuning, you’ll need a file, file guide, and gummy stone. You should also have snowboard tuning vices to hold your board in place, and safety goggles and gloves. To start, run the gummy stone along the edges to remove any burrs (residue). To sharpen your edges, place the file in the holder with the teeth perpendicular to your edges. Then, run along the edges in long, sweeping strokes. When detuning, use short up and down motions instead, and you’ll only dull the contact points at the nose and tail.
Good snowboard maintenance equals good snowboard performance
The more proactively you care for your snowboard, the more you’ll enjoy big-time thrills on the slopes. You can DIY a lot of snowboard maintenance, but don’t be afraid to ask your local snowboard shop for help. With proper care and attention, you’ll get a long life out of your board — and the sickest rides possible.
