Wax Technology

Illustration showing the warehouse to wax process of making Sticky Bumps surf wax

Sticky Bumps surf wax originated from Surf Research's Waxmate, and have since evolved to cover a multitude of performance requirements and temperature conditions for top surfing pros and amateurs alike. What makes Sticky Bumps surf wax unique? It's both our secret sauce and the way we make each bar of wax. 

Our Ingredients

Wax: Paraffin is the base for all surf wax formulations. We add calcite, fragrance, and special secret sauce to create the highest quality waxes in the industry. 

Calcite: A key component of Sticky Bumps surf wax, calcite is made from decomposed seashells, fossils and other organic material.

Fragrance: The aroma of wax is important - without it, surf wax wouldn't be the same. We add fragances like Blueberry to each bar for that famous Sticky Bumps smell everyone loves. 

Our Process

Steam: Large starter blocks of paraffin waxes are melted down before mixing using steam, which minimizes environmental impact in the production cycle. 

Batching: Each style of wax has a unique, temperature-specific formula of ingredients. The ingredients are combined and heated with steam kettles in large metal vats.

Chill: After proper blending, the wax is poured into the Sticky Bumps classic square-shaped molds. Then it goes into our walk-in freezer to chill before the wrapping process. 

The Sticky Bumps Difference

The Perfect Blend: Sticky Bumps surf waxes are easy to apply, provide great bump-building characteristics, offer a range of exceptional to unbelievable grip, and are formulated for the durability to endure the daily rigors of hardcore surfing. 

Stoke: Our "hands-on" production enables us to infuse stoke into each and every bar. We can produce over 18,000 bars of wax per day, connecting us to surfers around the world and spreading the love. 

For The Core: One of the original surf accessory companies emerging from Encinitas, CA in 1971, Sticky Bumps is committed to products tested, designed and made for surfers, by surfers. 

How Do I Choose a Wax?

With over 50 years of wax research & innovation, we have waxes for every water temperature, board type, & grip preference to keep you covered. Each wax is uniquely formulated for the ideal combination of easy application to your board (bump building, not smearing), tailored grip, & durability to withstand the rigors of daily surfing. Use our Sticky Meter grip ratings and wax descriptions to determine the best wax fit for your needs.

Sticky Bumps Sticky Meter provides grip ratings to compare the stickiness levels of different surf waxes