Wax instead of grip tape?

**Ganja SoulJah** · 06-07-2004 12:49 PM

After reading VA's post about his waterski deck, and noticing th beautiful woodgrain, I began to wonder wy you would want to cover it up with griptape. So my question is this: Has anyone here ever tried surfboard wax instead of griptape on a deck? Seems to me you might lose some grip, but for cruising and barefoot skating, it shouldn't cause too much problems. Any thoughts?

**Momona Boe** · 06-07-2004 01:11 PM

without water to cool it off, I gotta think wax would melt and become a mess on a hot day.

but I do have a few friends that have no grip tape whatsoever on their decks, just Converse/Vans on varnished wood

I don't get it, but they swear by it.

I usually just go for two 1" surfboard style stripes of griptape, works fine for me.

**crazylongboarder** · 06-07-2004 01:32 PM

i love the smell of surf wax but if i were you id just go with the strips down the middle if your riding it barefooted alot. I got a flexdex that i tired carving on without griptape... doesnbt work very well

**sniffleless** · 06-07-2004 01:39 PM

I've known people that waxed. It works but it is messy. On a hot day the wax tends to run and come off. Not to mention everything tries to stick to it. I have heard of people taking silicone and beading the top of their boards for grip. As it wears off you just re-apply.

**Ganja SoulJah** · 06-07-2004 02:55 PM

I think I'm gonna try it. If it doesn't work too well, the wax comes off easy enough with a hair dryer and a rag. I just wanna try something other than griptape, it's just a little too bland. maybe I should try some design.

**Ganja SoulJah** · 06-07-2004 03:18 PM

I think I'm gonna try it. If it doesn't work too well, the wax comes off easy enough with a hair dryer and a rag. I just wanna try something other than griptape, it's just a little too bland. maybe I should try some design.

**sniffleless** · 06-07-2004 03:43 PM

Let us know how that works out for you.

**Rich C** · 06-09-2004 03:29 AM

I'm toying with the idea of experimenting with sand and varnish. I've also heard of some stuff you can get for windsurfing being used.

VA · 06-09-2004 04:38 PM

i don't think it's a great idea. wax is going to melt insanely, and if anything make it slippery, and messy. you'd have to scrape it and reapply it all the time. i'd go ahead and use a grit/clear enamel mix...or clear grip (which i got the ski gripped with).

**tyler87** · 06-09-2004 06:33 PM

I thought it was sugar and varnish? Then you pour hot water on it and the sugar melts leaving you all those little dimples for grip.

**wombat boarder** · 06-10-2004 11:43 PM

....brake.oooouuuuch!
peace

**vaguelyevilguy** · 06-12-2004 09:01 AM

I really like the clear griptape type stuff on the loaded boards.

**tyler87** · 06-12-2004 09:28 AM

It doesn't last long though. My friend's was pretty much crap in like 2, 2 and a half months.

VA · 06-13-2004 06:29 PM

i like that it lost it's grip, it makes pivoting and walking alot easier. looks real sharp too.

**KMB** · 08-18-2008 06:43 PM

anyone know where to get windoard traction i got a lief longboard with that on it and it seems to be the best thing out thier but i dont know where to get it

**TRAVD0G** · 08-18-2008 07:22 PM

just use some silica sand, there are several threads on here that show how to do it. Wax will melt, get dirty, and just plain come off.

**.secrets** · 08-18-2008 07:33 PM

whats up with the bumping of ancient threads today?

**Jcup315** · 11-18-2008 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by .secrets

whats up with the bumping of ancient threads today?

Because people are religiously told to use the search button. I am guilty of this

**Alc** · 11-18-2008 01:18 PM

Good clear grip tape will allow for the wood grain to show through.

**TheFuzz** · 11-18-2008 02:12 PM

this toolbag near where I used to live did this. I just eventually ended up getting all dirty and disgusting. Couldn't see the board in like less than a week of doing it. Not a good idea. Plus when he was hitting the garage with me barefoot he went down and got his toes effin thrashed to pieces.