Wax
Wax
Famous surf wax guide
Which surf wax temperature do you need?
Famous makes five surf wax formulas: basecoat, cold, cool, warm and tropical. Each one is built for a water temperature range, and using the right one is the difference between a board that holds your feet and one that feels like a bar of soap. All five share the same traits that have kept Famous on boards since 2002: supreme tackiness, a beady texture that builds quickly, and a UV inhibitor so the wax holds up in the sun. Every bar is made in California.
Temperature guide
| Formula | Water temperature |
|---|---|
| Basecoat | All temperatures, first layer on a clean board |
| Cold | 60°F and below / 15°C and below |
| Cool | 60 to 68°F / 15 to 20°C |
| Warm | 68 to 78°F / 20 to 26°C |
| Tropical | 78°F and above / 26°C and above |
Water temperature, not air temperature, decides the formula. If your break sits on the line between two ranges, go with the colder one for more grip.
How to wax a board with Famous
- Start with basecoat. On a new or freshly cleaned board, rub a thin, even layer of basecoat over the whole deck. Basecoat is harder than topcoat wax, so it builds the bumps that everything else sticks to.
- Add your temperature wax. Apply cold, cool, warm or tropical on top of the basecoat using light pressure in small circles or diagonal lines until the beads form.
- Comb before each session. A quick pass with a wax comb roughs the surface back up and restores grip without adding more wax.
- Strip and restart when it goes flat. When the wax turns smooth, dirty or starts sliding, scrape it off and start again from basecoat.
Buy by the bar, the 4-pack, the case or on subscription
Single bars are $3. The 4-pack saves money on any temperature. If you surf regularly, a wax subscription delivers your temperatures every other month and saves 20 percent. Shops, schools and teams can order 84-bar cases with shipping included, and businesses that want their own brand on the wrapper can order custom private-label surf wax.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need basecoat?
Yes. Basecoat is formulated as the first layer on a new or clean board and works in all water temperatures. It builds the bumps that your temperature wax grips onto, so a topcoat applied without it wears off faster and holds less.
What happens if I use the wrong temperature wax?
Wax that is too soft for the water melts and gets slick. Wax that is too hard for the water never beads up and feels slippery. Match the formula to the water temperature at your break.
How often should I rewax?
Comb before every session and add a light topcoat when the beads flatten. Strip the board completely and start from basecoat whenever the wax gets dirty, smooth or starts sliding, which for most regular surfers is every month or two.
Where is Famous surf wax made?
In California. The Famous formula was created in San Diego and has been in production since 2002.