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How To Make Surf Wax With 2 Organic Recipes!

So you want to know how to make surf wax yourself? Yes it is possible!

You can easily create your very own organic, homemade surf wax right from your kitchen!

It is a simple process with only a few ingredients, let’s get into the 2 recipes we have created for you on how to make surf wax from your home!

How To Make Surf Wax?

To make surf wax, melt beeswax and coconut oil together, and optionally add essential oils for fragrance, then pour the mixture into moulds and let it cool and harden.

To create surf wax from different water temperatures the measurements will differ slightly, however these are the essential ingredients you will need.

How To Make Surf Wax That is Eco Friendly

We will go into two different recipes of how to make surf wax, one being cold water the other warm water. Both have similar proprieties, but a few important differences in ingredients.

Learning how to make surf wax is such a rewarding experience once understood, lets get into it!

How To Make Surf Wax: Cold & Warm Water Wax

Learning how to make surf wax for cold water at home differs from crafting warm water surf wax, primarily due to the inclusion of tree sap resin.

Learning how to make surf wax for cold water, designed for chilly ocean conditions incorporates this tree sap resin to enhance stickiness. To create cold water surf wax, you need to extract the resin by finding a healthy conifer tree, cutting a cleared area, setting up a collection bucket, and carving V-shaped notches to guide the resin into the container.

This resin collection process can take several days until you've accumulated about ¼ cup (60 ml) of resin.

In contrast, mastering how to make surf wax for warm water involves a simpler recipe with just beeswax and coconut oil, omitting tree sap resin.

The rest of the process for both types remains largely the same, involving the use of a double boiler and the melting and stirring of ingredients.

The result is two wax types tailored to different water temperatures, ensuring excellent grip while surfing.

Warm Water Recipe: How To Make Surf Wax

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) beeswax
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) coconut oil
  • A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare a Double Boiler

  • Begin by setting up a double boiler. If you don't have one, you can use two pots to create a makeshift double boiler. Fill the bottom pot with about 1 ½ cups (354.8 ml) of water. Heat it over medium heat until the water is hot and steaming. You don't need to bring it to a boil; steaming is sufficient.

Step 2: Combine Beeswax and Coconut Oil

  • In the top pot of the double boiler, place 1 cup (240 ml) of beeswax and ¼ cup (60 ml) of coconut oil. These two ingredients are the core components of your surf wax.

Step 3: Melt and Stir

  • As the water underneath the top pot heats up, the beeswax and coconut oil will begin to melt. Stir the mixture constantly to ensure that the ingredients blend together smoothly. Stirring prevents them from sticking to the sides of the pot and helps them incorporate evenly.

Step 4: Add Essential Oils (Optional)

  • If you want to give your surf wax a pleasant fragrance, consider adding a few drops of essential oil. You can choose from a variety of essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemon, or rosemary. This step is entirely optional; you can skip it if you prefer the subtle scent of coconut oil.

Step 5: Pour into Moulds

  • Once the beeswax and coconut oil are fully melted and mixed, remove the top pot from the double boiler. The wax should have a smooth, liquid consistency.

Step 6: Allow to Cool

  • Carefully pour the liquid surf wax into your prepared moulds or containers. You can use small muffin tins or silicone moulds as your surf wax containers.
  • Allow the wax to cool and harden. This process typically takes about 3-4 hours, but it might take longer depending on room temperature and the size of your moulds.

Safety Note:

  • Take proper safety precautions when working with hot materials. Always use oven mitts or potholders when handling the hot pots and wax.

Perfect now you know how to make surf wax for warm water let us know how it went and if you have any personal preferences for your own recipe!

Cold Water Recipe: How To Make Surf Wax

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) beeswax
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) coconut oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) tree sap resin
  • A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Find a Healthy Conifer Tree

  • To collect tree sap resin, you'll first need to locate a healthy conifer tree. Look for one with smooth bark, a lack of dead branches or limbs, and overall vitality. Common conifer types include pine, spruce, maple, and cedar trees.

Step 2: Prepare the Tree for Resin Extraction

  • Use a machete or hatchet to cut downward on the tree's bark about 3 feet from the ground. Create a rectangular indent that's approximately 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. Try to cut cleanly to form a flat area about 1 inch deep into the tree.

Step 3: Set Up a Collection Bucket

  • Position a bucket against the tree directly underneath the rectangular indent. Create a ramp leading from the cleared area into the bucket to guide the resin into the container.

Step 4: Cut V-Shaped Notches

  • Use your hatchet or machete to create V-shaped notches in the cleared rectangle. These notches should be about half an inch apart. You can do one side of the "V" at a time, starting with downward slashes on the left half and then upward slashes on the right half.

Step 5: Collect Tree Resin

  • Resin collection isn't instantaneous. Check the bucket daily. It may take two to three days to collect approximately ¼ cup (60 ml) of resin. Once you have enough resin, carefully transfer it to a small bowl.

Step 6: Prepare the Double Boiler

  • Set up a double boiler for wax preparation. Fill the bottom pot with about 1 ½ cups (354.8 ml) of water. Heat the water over medium heat until it's hot and steaming.

Step 7: Combine Beeswax, Coconut Oil, and Resin

  • Place 1 cup (240 ml) of beeswax, ¼ cup (60 ml) of coconut oil, and the ¼ cup (60 ml) of tree sap resin in the top pot of the double boiler. These three ingredients are essential for creating your cold water surf wax.

Step 8: Melt and Stir

  • As the water beneath the top pot heats up, the beeswax, coconut oil, and tree resin will begin to melt. Stir the mixture constantly to ensure the ingredients blend together smoothly and evenly. Frequent stirring prevents them from sticking to the sides of the pot.

Step 9: Add Essential Oils (Optional)

  • If you want to add fragrance to your surf wax, consider including a few drops of essential oil after the beeswax, coconut oil, and tree resin have fully melted and mixed. Popular essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemon, or rosemary can be used.

Step 10: Pour into Moulds

  • After ensuring that all the ingredients have melted and mixed thoroughly, remove the top pot from the double boiler. The surf wax should have a smooth, liquid consistency.

Step 11: Allow to Cool

  • Carefully pour the liquid surf wax into your prepared moulds or containers. Similar to the warm water surf wax, small muffin tins or silicone moulds can serve as your surf wax containers.
  • Allow the wax to cool and harden. The cooling process typically takes about 3-4 hours or longer, depending on room temperature and mould size.

Safety Note:

  • Be cautious when working with hot materials. Always use oven mitts or potholders when handling the hot pots and wax.

Perfect now you know how to make surf wax for cold water let us know how it went and if you have any personal preferences for your own recipe!

Homemade Surf Wax

Homemade wax is a fantastic surf wax alternative option for surfers looking to save money and reduce their environmental impact.

It's easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and you can customise it to your preferred stickiness.

Plus, it's a fun project for surfers of all ages! Not got time to learn how to make surf wax at home, don't worry here is our recommended organic surf wax from Surf Organic.

Tree Resin for Surf Wax

Tree resin, derived from various tree species, is a key ingredient in many traditional surf waxes. It provides the stickiness that keeps you securely on your surfboard. It is the essential ingredient to include when leaning how to make surf wax!

Pine tree resin, for example, is often used because of its natural grip. However, some surfers prefer to avoid tree resin due to environmental concerns.

If you're one of them, don't worry; there are alternative recipes available on how to make surf wax that can give you great grip without the use of tree resin.

How to Make Surf Wax Without Tree Resin?

For those who prefer to make surf wax without tree resin, there are alternative recipes that use ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil.

These recipes are eco-friendly and still offer excellent grip, making them a popular choice among surfers who want a sustainable and effective wax.

Beeswax Surf Wax Recipe

One of the most popular alternatives to traditional surf wax is beeswax surf wax. Beeswax is a sustainable and eco-friendly material that provides a great grip on your surfboard.

It's also easy to find and work with. We provide you with a step-by-step recipe on how to make surf wax beeswax, complete with tips, safety measures, and customisation options.

This DIY approach allows you to craft surf wax that suits your unique preferences and values while maintaining high-quality performance.

How to Make Surf Wax Sticky

Mastering how to make surf wax sticky involves finding the right balance of ingredients.

Traditional surf wax often contains a blend of paraffin wax and additives like tree resin. To make it stickier, increase the proportion of tree resin, which provides the grip on your surfboard.

You can also experiment with different ratios of hard and soft waxes to achieve your desired level of stickiness.

What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin wax is a common ingredient in many commercial surf waxes. It's a white, odourless, and waxy substance derived from petroleum.

Paraffin wax is used in surf wax because it has a low melting point, which allows it to provide the desired level of grip when applied to the surfboard. It's one of the key components in creating surf wax that keeps you from slipping off your board while riding the waves.

What Can I Use Instead of Surf Wax?

If you're in a pinch and don't have surf wax on hand, you can use alternatives like beeswax or a simple bar of soap.

Beeswax, as mentioned in our previous section, offers grip and is eco-friendly. A bar of soap, preferably a non-glycerin one, can also work temporarily in a pinch.

While these substitutes may not offer the same level of stickiness as traditional surf wax, they can provide some traction to help you stay on your board while you surf.

Summing It Up: What To Do Now

This recipe on how to make surf wax for cold and warm waters will set you on your way to creating your own sustainable option to waxing your surfboard before each surf.

If your interested in learning more about surfing discover our many guides that will inform you on your surfing journey. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay informed on our amazing surf shots and stories shared from surf creators around the world!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is surf wax made out of?

Surf wax is typically made from a mixture of paraffin wax, hard and soft waxes, and sometimes additives like tree resin.

How do you make vegan surf wax?

To make vegan surf wax, you can replace beeswax with plant-based waxes like soy wax or candelilla wax and follow a similar recipe.

What can I use instead of surf wax?

In a pinch, you can use alternatives like beeswax or a non-glycerin bar of soap as a temporary substitute for surf wax.

What is Sticky Bumps surf wax made of?

Sticky Bumps surf wax is usually made from a blend of paraffin wax and a unique proprietary formula.

What makes surfboard wax sticky?

Surfboard wax gains its stickiness from ingredients like wax and resin, which create traction on the surfboard's surface.

Can you make wax without beeswax?

Yes, you can make surf wax without beeswax by using alternative ingredients like soy wax, candelilla wax, or other plant-based waxes.

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