If you just bought a new snowboard, you may be wondering whether your board is ready to hit the slopes or if you need to tune it up. It’s always a good idea to figure out the best way to take care of your new board, so it doesn’t wear out too quickly.
As a whole, a new snowboard will have a basic tune on it when it comes from the factory. So unless you are an advanced snowboarder who wants their edges sharper, you generally only need to periodically tune up your board when you notice it is hindering its performance.
It is always essential to have your new gear performing properly to ride safely and smoothly down the slopes. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced rider, you’re going to want to keep your board tuned and in good shape. Read on to learn how to take care of your new board and keep it in optimal condition.
Do All Snowboards Come Tuned from the Factory?
Typically, when you buy a new board, they will come tuned-up and ready to go from the manufacturer. The edges will have a basic tune from being sharpened at the factory. When it comes to factory wax, almost all snowboard brands will come waxed, but it may have a very thin application.
Do Snowboards Need to be Tuned?
Waxing and tuning your snowboard can make your experience safer and more rewarding once you head to the mountains. Not only that, but it also helps keep your board in top condition without it wearing out too quickly. If you want your board to last, you’re going to want to make sure you maintain it regularly and get a tune-up.
Here are a few benefits of keeping up with your snowboard’s maintenance:
Allow You to Ride Smoother and Faster
For example, sharpening the edges of your board will allow you to cut through the ice better, giving you a smoother ride.
There is another way to maintain a board and make your experience much better. For instance, waxing your board hydrates and coats the base to allow you to glide a lot faster. Whether your board is brand new or not, you can never wax your board too much
Tune-Ups Will Keep You Safe
Not only does a tune-up let you have more fun on the slopes, but you are also increasing your safety by lowering your risk of accidents.
If you’ve been riding your board for a while, chances are your board may get scratched over time. Even the smallest scratch can increase your risk of an accident since it impairs your ability to glide.
Sharp edges help you grip the snow to help you carve your turns. So, another way to decrease your chances of maneuvering safely is if you have dull edges.
It is important to tune your board to give you better chances of gliding and maneuvering easily in all snow conditions.
Tune-Ups Will Have Your Gear Lasting Longer
Everyone wants their snowboard to last a long time. After all, you did just spend a lot on it. Getting a tune-up will give your board longevity by preventing the base from drying up and taking care of any scratches from rocks and debris.
As long as you get regular maintenance, and store your board in a cool, dry place, you can continue to enjoy riding it season after season.
There’s no doubt that regular and proper maintenance will help you make the most out of your snowboard and make your experience more rewarding.
How Often Should You Tune-up a New Snowboard?
You typically need to tune up your board once a year. However, if you snowboard often, then you may need to get it tuned more often. If you’re unsure, there are some basic things you can look out for to know when you need a tune-up.
Examine Your Edges
Carefully slide your fingers along the edges of your board to see if they are reasonably sharp or getting dull and worn down.
Check Out the Base
Take a look at the bottom of your board for any scrapes or scratches. Examine if the base is drying out or if there are holes that need repairing.
Look out for anything else that might be a sign of your board needing some maintenance. Of course, you can always wax your board as often as you’d like to maintain its glide.
Tune Your Snowboard Yourself
You can tune up your board yourself, but it is always recommended to have it done by a professional to ensure your board is getting the proper care. However, if you want to avoid the cost of getting your board serviced at a shop, you can tune and wax it yourself.
If you do decide to go the route of working on your board yourself, here are a few supplies you will need:
- Scraper or Razor Blade
- Screwdriver
- Wax
- 10” Mill Bastard File
- File Guide
- P-Tex Repair Candle
- Plastic scraper
- Something to rest your board on
Check out these recommended tuning supplies below:
Wax – ZUMWAX RUB ON
If you want to apply wax onto your board with a no-hassle all-temperature product, ZUMWax RUB ON is the way to go. This is great if you don’t want to bother with an iron or pay for a professional hot wax.
Tuning Care Kit – XCMAN Complete Ski Snowboard Edge Tuning Care Kit
This XCMAN Complete Ski Snowboard Edge Tuning Care Kit comes has a side edge bevel multi-tool and includes a mental file and deburring gummi stone. It also comes with four pieces of PTEX candle.
Edge Files – DEMON UNITED Ski and Snowboard Diamond Edge Flies
Get a smooth edge finish with the DEMON UNITED Ski and Snowboard Diamond Edge Flies. This will help you sharpen your snowboard edge effortlessly to carve out the snow and ice.
Vise – XCMAN Ski Snowboard Vise
Keep your board stable as you tune it when you use the XCMAN Ski Snowboard Vise. This set includes two brake retainers and one snowboard waxing scraper. Vises clamp to workbenches or tables and have non-slip rubber pads on top of the vise so you can safely rest your board.
Wax Scraper – Toko Plexi Blade Wax Scraper
Easily remove the wax without damaging your base with the Toko Plexi Blade Wax Scraper. This high-quality acrylic blade will allow you to clean your base and scrape off wax.
If you decide to go the do-it-yourself route, make sure you do some research on doing maintenance work on your snowboard correctly.
Should You Wax a New Snowboard?
Since the manufacturer uses cheap wax that is applied quickly only to protect the board during shipping, waxing your new board may be a good idea if you want to protect it and make it perform better.
You can either take your snowboard to a shop to have it waxed or do it yourself. It’s always a better idea to have professional work done on your snowboard to ensure that it’s getting properly taken care of.
However, if you want to do it yourself, you will need an iron, a scraper, and wax. You may also want to consider whether to break in your new board.
Conclusion
You’ll be riding your new snowboard for many years to come if you take care of it right. With that said, you should typically be ready to go when you first get your new board. The only thing you might want to do is have it waxed.
Other than that, tuning up your snowboard at least once every season should not only enhance your experience down the slopes but also keep your snowboard in excellent condition. Ensure to remove any water or snow from your board and store it in a dry area with a stable temperature.
Once you’re ready to get your board serviced, find a professional shop near you or get a good bonding experience with your board and tune it up yourself.
Sources
https://www.evo.com/guides/how-to-tune-skis-snowboards
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/tune-snowboards.html
https://www.nonstopsnow.com/journal/how-to-wax-and-tune-your-snowboard-at-home
