How to remove surf wax from your surfboard
October 24, 2025Surfing on a board with old wax just isn't all that fun. After a few months of surfing on your waxed board, it's time to clean it and prep it for new wax. But how do you get the hardened wax off the board to make it smooth again? Let's get into de-waxing the surfboard.
“How do I remove the wax from my surfboard?” might be a question that pops up when you see the wax turning color and losing its grip after surfing on it for a few months. The process is easy (and very satisfying). Here's how you do it.
Psst! We have gone through how to wax your surfboard step by step in a recent blog post. Check it out!
Why should you remove surf wax?
As great the surf wax is when it's new, as bad it is when it's old. The wax gives you a great grip while surfing, so you can catch all the waves you want. But as the wax ages, it loses its tackiness and becomes a dead weight on the board.
When should you remove the surf wax?
The quick answer to this question is: it depends. If you surf a lot, then you need to remove the wax more often than someone who only surfs now and then. Pretty obvious. But seasons and locations are also essential factors.
It is recommended to remove the wax and apply new layers as the seasons change, so you have the right wax for the current season's water temperature, about 4 times a year. It's also a good idea to remove and apply new wax before trips to destinations with different water temperatures.
Remove wax from your surfboard
Now that we know the basics, let's get into how to remove the wax.
Preparation and what to use
There are a few things you'll need to remove the wax from your board. You can either buy the proper stuff to make the task easier or work with what you have at home. Here's a list of what you need; it also includes some alternative gear.
What you need to de-wax your surfboard:
The sun (or a hairdryer)
Surfboard wax comb (or a credit card)
Surfboard wax remover (or melted coconut oil or flour)
A cloth or paper towels
A trashbag
Surfboard wax comb: A surfboard wax comb is a tool made of plastic that scrapes old wax off the surfboard and is helpful for adding new wax as well. The comb has a flat and sharp side and a side with a toothed edge. The flat side works just like an ice scraper, scrapes away snow and ice from your car windows in winter, but instead of ice, it's used for wax. If you don't have one you can use your credit card or driver's license.
Surfboard wax remover: This is a product that cleans up the leftover oil, grease, and wax after you used the wax comb. It will resolve the leftovers and make the board nice and clean.
Removing the surf wax
Removing the wax from the board is quite easy, this is how you do it in four steps:
1. Put the board on a soft surface
Put your board on a soft surface or on a towel-covered wetsuit rack, so that it won't get scratched while removing the wax.
2. Soften up the wax
Before de-waxing, you need to apply heat to the wax so that it softens up and becomes easier to remove. Letting the board be in the sun for 15 minutes will do the trick on a warm day, or you use a hairdryer or heat lamps to warm up the wax.
3. Use the surfboard wax comb to scrape the wax off
Here comes the fun part! Use the flat and sharp side of the wax comb and scrape the wax off the board, since the wax has softened it should get right off pretty easily (don't forget the sides!). Do your part for the environment and make sure that the pieces of wax end up in the trashbag.
4. Use the wax remover for a clean finish
Once the wax is off, there's still some remaining oil, wax, and grease left on the board. Use your wax remover or some regular flour and put it on the board, let it sit for a minute or so, and then use your paper towel or cloth to rub it off. Melted coconut oil can also work as an alternative to wax remover.
You should end up with your board looking nice and ready for new wax!
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Beatrice Lindfors
About the author: My name is Beatrice, but Bea for short, and I’ve been a writer and content creator for Lapoint since 2022. My life revolves around my laptop and backpack as I travel the world, always with a stop in Ericeira; the camp vibe and the Portuguese sunsets have my heart.
Life goal? Visit every country.
Obsession? The Sri Lanka waves, the Atlantic Ocean and tracking down the best coffee (whichever my current location is).
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