How to Clean Rusty Snowboard Edges

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Rust isn’t just an eyesore—it can also slow your board and hold you back during a fun day outside. [1] Don’t worry! This is a really common problem that a lot of snowboarders deal with, and it’s really easy to fix. With a few simple tools, you can get rid of pesky rust and metal burrs so you’ll be ready to hit the slopes!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Removing the Rust

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-1.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Place your board in a large, open workspace, where you have plenty of room to inspect and tune up the edges. You don’t need to secure or fasten anything in place—just set your board binding-side-down on top of the table vises, so you can easily reach and polish your board edges. [2]
    • It’s okay if you don’t have table vises! Two stacks of books can also get the job done while you work.
    • You can also prop up your snowboard on 2 wood blocks. [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-2.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Grab a basic hand towel and slide it slowly along your board’s edges. Feel for any sharp edges or sections—these are sure signs of burrs or rust spots. [4]
    • The burrs will snag and pull off small fibers from your towel, which will make them easy to find again on your board.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-3.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Spritz rubbing alcohol on the surface of a diamond stone—this is a rough, sandpaper-like stone that helps buff your edges. Hold the diamond stone parallel to the board, dragging it along the metal edge. Move in smooth motions, working from tip to tail as you sand away the burs. Don’t place the stone flush with the edge—instead, keep it parallel as you work, so you can really focus on smoothing out the metal. [5]
    • You can find diamond stones online, or at most sports goods stores. These are great for smoothing away imperfections from the sides of your snowboard.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-4.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Grab a gummy stone—this is a firm, abrasive, eraser-like stone that will work away some of the rust on your board. [6] Hold the ends of the gummy stone with both hands, placing it snugly along the thin edge of your board. Run the gummy stone down your board’s edge from tip to tail, working away any rust as you go. [7]
    • If you don’t have a gummy stone, use fine- or medium-grit sandpaper instead. [8]
    • If you have really extensive rust, a flat file can get the job done. Place the file flat on top the board and drag it back and forth along the edge, moving from tip to tail. [9]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-5.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Grab your diamond stone again, placing it flush on the board’s edge. Don’t press on the stone—instead, hold it at a slightly upward angle, using your fingers to guide the stone along the edge. [10]
    • This prevents the diamond stone from damaging the rest of the board.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-6.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pick up your gummy stone and place it directly on board’s edge again, just like you did before. Move the gummy stone from tip to tail to get rid of any pesky, leftover rust from your board. [11]
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-7.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Spritz a clean towel with rubbing alcohol and drag it along the edges of your snowboard. Wipe away any small bits of metal that’ve collected on your board, so your equipment is nice and clean. [12]
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Preventing Future Rust

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-8.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Water and rust are best friends—so, when you leave your snowboard outside, you’re really exposing it to a lot of frozen water and potential rust. Instead, place in a clean, dry area so rust doesn’t form on your board over time. [13]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-9.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Keep a clean towel handy whenever you go snowboarding. Wipe down your entire board so there’s no leftover moisture, which is a recipe for rust. [14]
    • If you drive out to the slopes a lot, keep a clean towel stashed somewhere in your car.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-10.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    when you put it away for the season. Grab a clean towel and wipe away any leftover moisture from the slopes. Melt a cube of snowboard wax over the surface of your board before putting it away for good. Don’t scrape it off until next winter—this will keep your equipment protected during the warmer months. [15]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-11.jpg\/aid12268927-v4-728px-Clean-Rusty-Snowboard-Edges-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you drive to the slopes, keep your snowboard inside your car instead of on top of it. Although car racks are convenient, they’ll expose your board to a lot of wetness, open air, and road salt. [16]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you see a small, minor rust spot, wipe it down with a wet cloth. If the rust isn’t too severe, it might wipe off pretty easily. [17]
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Take your snowboard to a tune-up shop if you don’t have a lot of tune-up experience. They can polish your edges and easily get rid of any rust! [18]
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      Removing the Rust

      • Vise table
      • Clean rags
      • Rubbing alcohol
      • Diamond stone
      • Gummy stone
      • Sandpaper (optional)

      Preventing Future Rust

      • Clean rags
      • Snowboard wax
      • Iron

      You Might Also Like

      A Beginners Guide to Snowboarding
      How to
      Find Your Skate or Snowboarding Stance (Regular vs. Goofy)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=0m2s
      2. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=0m16s
      3. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dRfiR_k249E&t=0m10s
      4. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=0m32s
      5. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=0m53s
      6. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=1m10s
      7. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dRfiR_k249E&t=1m32s
      8. ↑ https://www.sportsrec.com/skateboard-waterlogged-12192258.html
      9. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dRfiR_k249E&1m40s
      1. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=1m21s
      2. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=1m33s
      3. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1r7rFzsXE&t=1m39s
      4. ↑ https://www.sportsrec.com/9553097/what-to-do-if-a-snowboard-is-rusting
      5. ↑ https://www.yellowpages.ca/tips/the-best-way-to-protect-your-snowboard-from-rust/
      6. ↑ https://www.sportsrec.com/9553097/what-to-do-if-a-snowboard-is-rusting
      7. ↑ https://www.yellowpages.ca/tips/the-best-way-to-protect-your-snowboard-from-rust/
      8. ↑ https://www.yellowpages.ca/tips/the-best-way-to-protect-your-snowboard-from-rust/
      9. ↑ https://www.sportsrec.com/skateboard-waterlogged-12192258.html

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 34,608 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement