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[benjinyc]

from what I'm reading, each bulb (2 total) are 450w

Screenshot 2023-11-14 at 12.38.19 PM.png (115.93 KiB) Viewed 1351 times

which makes sense as they have a YouTube with them using some $65 amazon IR heater…

[eleveneightnate]

From what I've read, the melting point of all temp wax is 120-150°F and the 2000w Amazon lamp reaches 392°F. Should be more than enough.

[benjinyc]

I think the high temp (IR energy) is more about getting the base hot enough to make it better at absorbing the wax, not melting the wax itself perse

having said that, this guys uses a laser thermometer to check on the temps, anything above 265º will burn the base

[unsatisfiedus]

that’s a good idea. i have a cheap infrared thermometer i use both in the kitchen and to look for heat leaks. might as well go full infrared setup.

the mountain flow one has some feet added which would probably be useful. some of the car ones on amazon look like they would be wide enough for a snowboard.

[sinned]

I think the high temp (IR energy) is more about getting the base hot enough to make it better at absorbing the wax, not melting the wax itself perse

having said that, this guys uses a laser thermometer to check on the temps, anything above 265º will burn the base

I borrowed a handheld IR paint curing lamp that looks exactly like in this video. The single 1000 Watt lamp gets things hot rapidly, and I used an IR thermometer to make sure things didn't get past 265º (which can happen if sitting still for a few seconds). I think with a few more wax jobs with this paint curing lamp that I can optimize the technique with it, but I can appreciate the design advantages of the Mountain Flow with the larger radiant area, greater output, and resting feet.

[Supra]

I think the high temp (IR energy) is more about getting the base hot enough to make it better at absorbing the wax, not melting the wax itself perse

having said that, this guys uses a laser thermometer to check on the temps, anything above 265º will burn the base

The base doesn't absorb wax. The wax just sticks to the base in the microscopic crevices in the base.
You're melting a hot liquid onto the base. Think about melting butter in a pot and then pouring that onto a cold piece of bread or a warm piece of bread - any difference? I'm sure the cold bread will lower the temp of the melted butter a little, but not enough for a noticeable difference. With a board, maybe a cold base will lower the temp of the melted wax a touch, but then you run an iron over top which will warm everything up .

I watched the video and read through other forums discussing it but I just don't see the difference to a regular iron. In reviews they say it's more efficient at melting the wax - that only means it's more efficient at heating a spot since it doesn't heat the air around it like a hair dryer or heats by conduction like an iron. So what does that mean in real life? They're all very vague about it. You might get to a certain temp quicker with an ir waxer than an iron, or it uses less electricity? What are we talking about here? Save a second or two, save 10 cents?
It doesn't mean you have less chance of burning the base than with an iron, since they warn in the video to keep it moving otherwise the wax will burn.
Uses less wax? Well, they're just rubbing the wax on and melting that, which you can do with an iron.
In Japan, the IR waxer Wax Future by Montana is popular in some shops. They say the same stuff, "penetrates really deep", "same as hotboxing for 10 hours" etc. Yet there is no proof that it's better, and people who have done it say there's no noticeable difference.

One thing I think I picked up in the other forums was that the IR waxed boards hold wax for less days than an ironed board. I may be remembering that wrong as by that point I had concluded I didn't want a waxer.

Believe me, when I saw Powhound had bought one I was super interested, but I can't find anything online that conclusively shows that it's better.
Also, feel free to argue any of the points I've made. I'm always happy to learn, and if I'm proven wrong then so be it, I'll be the wiser for it.

[C.Fuzzy]

It's funny to me that one of the most contentious things in boarding is waxing and the sort of bro-science that surrounds the claims. The IR waxing looks fun, but I may sit this one out for a while. I dislike scraping as much as anyone but I do somewhat enjoy the ritual.

[eleveneightnate]

It's funny to me that one of the most contentious things in boarding is waxing and the sort of bro-science that surrounds the claims. The IR waxing looks fun, but I may sit this one out for a while. I dislike scraping as much as anyone but I do somewhat enjoy the ritual.

Best of both worlds: traditional waxing + roto brush. Gonna buy that one from Tractor Supply.

[pow_hnd]

In reviews they say it's more efficient at melting the wax

I would say after some practice, yes, it's much more efficient.

So what does that mean in real life?

It takes less time and elbow grease.

but I can't find anything online that conclusively shows that it's better.

I don't think that it's better, just a different method of doing the same damn thing.

Uses less wax? Well, they're just rubbing the wax on and melting that, which you can do with an iron.

This is the only point I would counter, the "crayon" method using the IR vs "crayon" with an iron is extremely different. With an iron, it's all kinda just dumb luck to a point and then you still have to use the iron to heat it and spread it. Doing "crayon" with the IR is like using a super soft almost* melted crayon that continually leaves wax across the whole width of your wax block and the whole length of your board as you trail from one end to another.

In summary, to me crayon with an iron never proved to be much of an advantage in my personal experience, this is not true with the IR. With the IR the crayon method was tits.

[casjcade]

You also have the pro waxing machine thingies for like 50% more. Put the wax in, wait, then just roll it on, thin layer on everything.