How to wax a fingerboard ledge
By Ogey Bogey ·
Quick answer: Rub a thin layer of fingerboard wax (or a plain white candle) along the edge of the ledge, spread it with your finger, buff off the excess, and test a few grinds. Add more only if the board still sticks.
A little wax on the edge of a fingerboard ledge makes grinds and slides smoother and more controllable, just like skaters waxing a real ledge. It only takes a minute, and doing it right means your tricks feel smooth instead of sticky or out of control.
What wax to use
- Fingerboard wax is made for the job, comes in a small block and goes on evenly.
- A plain white candle (paraffin wax) works well and you probably have one already.
- Skateboard wax works too, but it is often softer, so use less.
Avoid crayons and coloured candles. They leave colour on the ledge and on your trucks.
Step by step
- Clean the edge. Wipe off dust with a dry cloth. If it is grubby, use a slightly damp cloth and let it dry completely first.
- Rub the wax along the edge. Press lightly and run the wax along the top corner of the ledge where your trucks will grind. One or two passes is plenty.
- Spread it thin. Run your finger or a cloth along the edge to smooth the wax into an even, thin layer.
- Buff off the extra. Wipe along the edge with a dry cloth. You want a thin film, not lumps.
- Test it. Try a few 50-50s and boardslides. If the board still catches, add a tiny bit more and spread it again.
How much wax is too much?
If your board shoots off the end of the ledge or you can't lock into grinds, there is too much wax. Scrape the excess off with a plastic card (not metal), then buff the edge with a dry cloth. Start with less: it is easy to add more and annoying to take it off.
Waxing a stone ledge
Natural stone like limestone has tiny pores, so the first time you wax a stone fingerboard ledge it soaks up a little more than wood or metal. After the first coat, it needs very little. Over time the edge picks up a natural wear pattern from your board, and it gets smoother the more you skate it.
How often to re-wax
Re-wax when grinds start to feel grabby again. For most people that is every few sessions. If the ledge lives on a dusty floor, wipe it down before you skate so you are not grinding grit into the wax.
Quick answers
Do I have to wax a fingerboard ledge? No. Stone and metal edges grind fine without it. Wax just makes tricks smoother and faster.
Will wax damage my fingerboard? No, but too much wax can build up on your trucks. Wipe them with a dry cloth now and then.
Should I wax the top of the ledge? Only for manuals and slides across the top. For grinds, the edge is all you need.