How to Wax a Shuffleboard Table in The Right Way | Best DIY Hacks

Do you have any questions about why the tables for shuffleboards are so smooth and slippery and how the puck glide so effortlessly across them? On top of an already smooth finish that comes from the factory, tables for shuffleboards are waxed and sprayed using particular substances to keep the slippery surface. However, keeping your table’s waxed coat in good condition can be pretty tricky if you do not have the proper tools and techniques to do the task. In this article, we will describe everything about how to wax a shuffleboard table in the right way. So let’s get to the point without wasting time.

How to wax a shuffleboard table 

To wax a shuffleboard table, you have to maintain some steps. The steps are given below.

Choose your workplace

Before starting any project, prepare the table for work. If you believe there might be any mess, put a sheet of paper around it to ensure that the wax or spray cannot get on the floor or any other furniture. Also, make sure you have your tools ready, including cleaning products such as towels, sprays and waxes, so that they are nearby. Another thing to think about is the kind of table surface that your shuffleboard features. There are two primary finishes available – traditional wood finish and polymer.

Tables with an old-fashioned wood finish are harder to polish and are even more challenging to keep. However, they do keep their shine longer and are more durable. Polymer finishes are simple to clean and straightforward to repair. They’re also less expensive and do not sacrifice the excitement of the game, making them perfect for beginners or casual players. The finish type will also influence the table you’ll need for the next step. Make sure to verify this with the table’s maker before you proceed.

Clean the table

The main difference between natural wood tables and those with a polymer coating is cleaning the tables. Natural woods can be challenging to clean, and you’ll need the right solution. Mix 1/4 parts vinegar and one part of water inside a glass and take a soft cloth. Clean the surface by gentle circular motions, but not too hard. Ensure the fabric is wet at all times, and clean it off when it becomes too filthy. There is a lot of dust to collect on your table and possibly some leftover wax. This is where the vinegar mixture comes into play since it removes wax reasonably efficiently.

Learn more: How long is a shuffleborad

Applying the shuffleboard silicone spray

Before spreading the wax (or “salt/sand”) on the table, you’ll have to apply the silicone spray onto the table’s surfaces. This isn’t a regular silicone spray, however. Instead, it’s explicitly design for shuffleboards and finishes. Be aware of the type of spray you choose, as different finishes have distinct coating (and wax) specifications.

The procedure of spraying is pretty straightforward. The only thing you need to look for is to make sure you don’t miss a spot on the table and not make more than the same place. Many people prefer to mark their tables into various zones using masking tape. This will make it simpler for you to see the exact location you’ve been to and avoid a missed spot or spraying too much to specific zones.

Once the spray has dry (typically within a couple of minutes), clean the entire table with an incredibly soft and clean towel. Microfiber towels are an excellent option for this specific event. Next, clean the table and smooth it out until all the spray buff and any excess spray eliminate. When cleaning, spraying and polishing your table, keeping your hands in the direction of the grain will help it last longer and provide more appearance. Additionally, it protects the finish of your table.

Applying wax

Before you begin using the wax, you’ll be able to decide on the kind of wax you will need. To simplify things, various wax speeds range between 1 and 4. To have the puck glide adequate on a table of 9-12 feet, you’ll require a slower rated wax. These waxes are generally in numbers 4. But, there are more slow waxes that go down to 7. The larger the table, however, the quicker the wax must be. So, larger tables 18+ feet will require waxes with a speedier rating of 1 to 3. The most professional (official) products for tournaments featuring shuffleboards are 1.

When it comes to making wax, there are not many technical aspects to consider to be concerned with. The shuffleboard wax is available in containers full of small pieces of wax that look like salt, sand or dust, which is why other names use to describe this type of wax. It is incredibly slippery and spreads across your table using a similar way. In essence, you shake the container around the table to create a uniform coating of the wax. It is essential to ensure that there aren’t any clumps of wax in any area as they could alter the direction of your puck. Zones that have too much wax may also affect the movement of the puck.

It is possible to repeat the process now and then when the wax is too thin. But every time you wax the table, you should also clean it off, use shuffleboard spray, and add fresh wax. This will make sure that the wood is in top condition and your playing area is as smooth and smooth as is possible.

How to take care of and maintain shuffleboard

Avobe we discuss about how to wax a shuffleboard table. Now we’re going to discuss the maintaincen rules of shuffleboard. There are some basic rules to follow when maintaining your shuffleboard table. Follow the below rules.

• Please do not place the item near windows that let sunlight shine through them.
• You might want to consider purchasing a shuffleboard table cover
• Make sure to clean it as often as you can
• Treat it like a costly furniture piece
• Please place it in a space that has ample space on all sides of the table.

Like other furniture, the sun is an enemy of all furniture. It damages the outer coating and may cause discolouration to certain kinds of wood. Moisture is another factor in problems with structural integrity, warping and other issues. This is why tables must place located in a space in which these issues can be managed. Naturally, tables outside are likely to struggle to deal with all of that. This is the reason having a cover for them is a necessity.

In general, if you consider your table to an investment piece, you’ll know what you’re expect to do to keep your table in top condition. Cleaning your furniture with a cleaner for the frame and legs recommend to ensure clean, well-nourished and polished.

Every 5-10 years, a shuffleboard table could require a new finish. It is a difficult task, and only experienced professionals can accomplish it. Before you can send the table to refinish, it is necessary to have it checked by the same professionals. Because of the procedure, it’s not recommended to proceed with it if your table could last a little longer than the original finish. This isn’t the most economical method, which is why most casual players would rather avoid it because it may outweigh the initial cost of the table.

Balance a shuffleboard table

A shuffleboard table’s levelling is similar to setting up on a game table. Nearly all shuffleboard tables equipp with a mechanism for their feet that allows you to determine the level of the foot. Placing the table on a hard surface makes the whole process much easier than the table being set on a thick carpet. Additionally, specific tables may be equipped with their playing surface controlled, instead of the legs adding another layer of adjustability to give you more control.

Climatic adjusters

It doesn’t matter if it’s the 9-12 or 14-foot model. Every shuffleboard table is likely to have climatic adjustment mechanisms. They are an extended bolt that fix to the table’s bottom by two platforms made of metal that bolts to the table. They place perpendicularly to the table’s surface. Depending on your table’s dimensions, a lot of these adjustable climatic elements (climatic mechanisms) across the length of the table could be. They are usually located at an interval of 3-4 feet.

The reason for these bolts being long is to alter the table’s curvature. Because shuffleboard tables primarily construct from timber, the tables are susceptible to becoming warped. This is particularly true when tables expose to moisture and other weather conditions. Climatic adjusters are made to manage that movement to ensure that the table’s surface remains slightly convex towards the centre. This means that the centre is slightly higher than its sides. This makes it simpler for pucks at the top of its table and not slide off.

The process of adjusting these bolts is quite simple. This is done by a different mechanism that permits you to turn them with your hand on specific tables. On other tables, you’ll require a wrench or other device. The easiest method to determine the table’s sufficiently convex is to take an item of paper and a level for a carpenter. The climatic adjuster bolt should be turned till the table becomes so convex that your piece will fit through the opening between your carpenter’s scale (which is situated to the end of the adjuster). If the paper does not pass, you’ve loosened the bolt too excessively. If there’s a visible gap, it means that the bolt has been screwed on excessively.

Conclusion

Wax a shuffleboard table is essential due to several good reasons. It will first keep the table secure and protected in the long run, regardless of its environment. Additionally, it will facilitate better playing with the pucks, as frequent waxing helps reduce friction between the table and the pucks. You can also add additional wax (called “salt” or “sand”) to the table to facilitate the pucks’ slide. In terms of maintenance and care, ensure that you verify to see if the table’s in constant convexity and then work with the adjusters for the climate as necessary.