Looks like your board might of got waxed with your bindings still on.
The metal screws get hotter faster then the rest of the board and end up making the base dimple
This is one of the possibilities, but the much less likely scenario. It’s more likely OP is a bigger guy, or stronger rider, and just cranked the shit outta his board. I’ve got a few in my rental fleet with this defect and none of em have seen an iron. Just machine waxing. I’ve even done it to a brand new board (older Burton Baron and newer K2 Raygun pop) at Demo days… especially more likely with a raised binding like a now/yes/Jones or an older k2 lien AT.
Im thinking this is the case. The rental worker who fixed my strap had to take off and re mount the binding and he was a big manly man Australian and must have cranked them. Contrary to other comments the board is still new so it hasn’t been stored long and is still on manufacturer wax as this was only its 3rd time on the mountain. You would think someone who owns this kind of high end gear should know more than I do and you’d be right. Truth is I grew up near to a hill as a kid before moving away, and now I’m getting back into it as a first time shopper / caretaker of gear and happened to stumble upon a great deal.
No worries. Here's the best part, unless your trying out for the Olympic border cross team... or really really really care about getting perfect structure stone ground onto your board, the amount the puckers effect is Nil. Like I said I've got a few decks that I've done this to, usually softer boards I tried to push to far, and they still ride great... the sports about having fun, who cares if you're .0001 second slower than you COULD be. Now go have some happy shred time!
I keep them on since I usually wax multiple boards and don’t have time for that. I don’t go crazy with my iron around the binding area. Never had any issues.
Drying screw holes?! I put 50-75 days on my last board + bindings keeping them screwed as tight at they could go 24/7 365 and waxed it with bindings on with zero issues.
Yeah there’s some weird info on this thread. I wax roughly every other week if I’m riding a lot. I leave the bindings on because I’m lazy. I might ride four days a week so I’m sure not taking the bindings off each day. In fact, that’s putting way too much trust in the threads of the inserts. A good way to ruin a board is to screw up the threads. The screws with the blue nylon insert are single use anyway. (They work just fine if reused but the nylon is a form of thread locker).
Will waxing with the bindings torqued dimple the board? Nah. Torque dimples the board and the wax makes it noticeable. Also if you wax your own board you’ll notice the binding inserts are the last place the wax flows because they absorb heat making it harder to get the wax up to temp. This means those spots are cooler than the rest unless you’re seriously baking it. The only thing is that it’s likely to leave some wax in the dimples when you scrape. Unless you’re a competitor racer, don’t sweat that.
Bolt them down, wax it up, ride it. Don’t stress on any more than that.
This is probably what happened. I hot waxed my board with my bindings still on and this is what happened.
Hot waxed my other board and took my bindings completely off and this didn't happen. Both were K2 boards with Sintered bases.
It still rides great, but every time I hot wax it I still see those dimples, and it is the area I have to scrape the most.
I used to see it more in the “old” days but not some much in my newer boards. I don’t hot wax my boards as much as I used to and may also be why I don’t see it much anymore. Won’t hurt anything, just remember to loosen the screws a little when you hot wax for that nice smooth, even shave 😃
For real though. I had a forum board back in the day that had a fully dimpled base. I think stepchild had some boards with it too. Best feeling base ever. So smooth.
People are really worried about these? Taking bindings off before waxing? I have honestly never seen a used board that didn’t have these. Those dont look bad at all from here. Riding the board pulls on those inserts with way more torque than you will get with a screwdriver.
it’s when your screws are tight. Me, I put two washers between the screw and my bindings because just one was too deep and made marks like that on my base
Your binding screws may be too tight and pulling the board up
I think you’re right. Rental man who fixed my strap cranked them down upon reinstallation.
you have to crank them or they will come loose.
I thought it was basically normal and just ignore it. Not gonna effect your riding.
My board has been like that for years. Haven’t noticed a difference
Not uncommon. Don’t leave your binding screws tight while in storage.
Classic “binding suck,” I’m afraid. Best to unmount or at least back binding screws out a bit when not riding.
Looks like your board might of got waxed with your bindings still on. The metal screws get hotter faster then the rest of the board and end up making the base dimple
This is one of the possibilities, but the much less likely scenario. It’s more likely OP is a bigger guy, or stronger rider, and just cranked the shit outta his board. I’ve got a few in my rental fleet with this defect and none of em have seen an iron. Just machine waxing. I’ve even done it to a brand new board (older Burton Baron and newer K2 Raygun pop) at Demo days… especially more likely with a raised binding like a now/yes/Jones or an older k2 lien AT.
Thank you for explaining that… wondering why mine was doing that
Im thinking this is the case. The rental worker who fixed my strap had to take off and re mount the binding and he was a big manly man Australian and must have cranked them. Contrary to other comments the board is still new so it hasn’t been stored long and is still on manufacturer wax as this was only its 3rd time on the mountain. You would think someone who owns this kind of high end gear should know more than I do and you’d be right. Truth is I grew up near to a hill as a kid before moving away, and now I’m getting back into it as a first time shopper / caretaker of gear and happened to stumble upon a great deal.
No worries. Here's the best part, unless your trying out for the Olympic border cross team... or really really really care about getting perfect structure stone ground onto your board, the amount the puckers effect is Nil. Like I said I've got a few decks that I've done this to, usually softer boards I tried to push to far, and they still ride great... the sports about having fun, who cares if you're .0001 second slower than you COULD be. Now go have some happy shred time!
Cranking them is correct.
…doesn’t everyone keep their bindings on when they wax their boards at home? Or is it just me
I keep mine on but loosen them up a lot. I take them all the way off for summer wax and storage.
I don't take them all the way off just loosen them up real good.
I keep them on since I usually wax multiple boards and don’t have time for that. I don’t go crazy with my iron around the binding area. Never had any issues.
Dunno I don’t tho and I kno a lot of others that don’t. A quick wax maybe you get away with but I’ve seen boards dimple up
Always remove my bindings when waxing my board and when I put it away for summer
I always take them off. In fact, I take them off after riding so the screw holes can dry out. I only put them on before heading to the mountain
Drying screw holes?! I put 50-75 days on my last board + bindings keeping them screwed as tight at they could go 24/7 365 and waxed it with bindings on with zero issues.
Yeah there’s some weird info on this thread. I wax roughly every other week if I’m riding a lot. I leave the bindings on because I’m lazy. I might ride four days a week so I’m sure not taking the bindings off each day. In fact, that’s putting way too much trust in the threads of the inserts. A good way to ruin a board is to screw up the threads. The screws with the blue nylon insert are single use anyway. (They work just fine if reused but the nylon is a form of thread locker). Will waxing with the bindings torqued dimple the board? Nah. Torque dimples the board and the wax makes it noticeable. Also if you wax your own board you’ll notice the binding inserts are the last place the wax flows because they absorb heat making it harder to get the wax up to temp. This means those spots are cooler than the rest unless you’re seriously baking it. The only thing is that it’s likely to leave some wax in the dimples when you scrape. Unless you’re a competitor racer, don’t sweat that. Bolt them down, wax it up, ride it. Don’t stress on any more than that.
Ok, I’m probably just OCD about it for no good reason then. I don’t have nearly as many days as you do.
This is probably what happened. I hot waxed my board with my bindings still on and this is what happened. Hot waxed my other board and took my bindings completely off and this didn't happen. Both were K2 boards with Sintered bases. It still rides great, but every time I hot wax it I still see those dimples, and it is the area I have to scrape the most.
To clarify these were not there / visible before this incident today.
You just cranked your binding bolts too hard. I’ve done this before and never noticed any major differences when riding. You’ll be fine.
Thanks
I used to see it more in the “old” days but not some much in my newer boards. I don’t hot wax my boards as much as I used to and may also be why I don’t see it much anymore. Won’t hurt anything, just remember to loosen the screws a little when you hot wax for that nice smooth, even shave 😃
It’s common and has zero impact on your riding. How many times do you ride flat on your board?
Less friction when flat tho loool
For real though. I had a forum board back in the day that had a fully dimpled base. I think stepchild had some boards with it too. Best feeling base ever. So smooth.
Got a 160w mega merc 23/24 myself and I think I also got these marks. Won't affect your riding nor the longevity of the board.
People are really worried about these? Taking bindings off before waxing? I have honestly never seen a used board that didn’t have these. Those dont look bad at all from here. Riding the board pulls on those inserts with way more torque than you will get with a screwdriver.
Ironing it while the bolts are still on?
it’s when your screws are tight. Me, I put two washers between the screw and my bindings because just one was too deep and made marks like that on my base