The Science

Spectra Surf Science seeks to improve surf wax in every way imaginable from the materials used to the way it is applied.

TACKINESS

Beeswax can hold a panel full of honey to the side of a tree surface but the quality we call “tacky” describes how things stick in response to the pressure applied. Proprietary ingredients are combined to create our Ultratak™ formula with tack tuned specifically to suit the sport of surfing. 

DURABILITY

The applicator stick is actually designed to give more durability in your top coat surf wax. It does this by giving comfortable control of the pressure during application. Pressure creates friction, and friction softens the wax as you apply it. This makes it easier to apply a slightly harder and more durable wax. The pressure at which you apply the wax can be adjusted to suit the temperature of the wax which varies with the ambient temperature. 

EXPOSURE STABILITY

The fully contained twist up stick does more than just keep the wax clean. It also serves to limit its exposure to ambient air and temperature fluctuations. This produces a more consistent product each time you need to use it.

VALUE

Most surfers are familiar with buying wax labelled in grams. This is not optimal because it is not weight that you want to put on your board, it’s volume. You want as little weight as necessary. Spectra Top Coat is measured in cm3 units of volume. All the ingredients serve an important purpose and no heavy filler is added to bulk up the weight. You might notice that Spectra Top Coat floats while most surf waxes sink. This is because Spectra Top Coat prioritizes the good stuff that keeps you connected with your board, and not heavy filler ingredients.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Spectra Top Coat is non-toxic, biodegradable, and compostable. Waxes that float also help the Earth, the atmosphere, and the Sun to safely break it down into its inert elemental constituents. Our Generation 2 Twist-up applicator is made of 100% post consumer recycled material. This means it creates a new home for old waste. At Spectra Surf Science we are continuously researching ways to lower our impact on the environment. 

Water Temperature

When it comes to a top coat, water temperature is less important than you might think. The ideal top coat is tacky and textured for the duration of your surf and this is what Spectra Top Coat is designed to achieve.

Spectra Top Coat can be used all year round from the tropical waters of Bali all the way down to the cold water of New Zealand and Tasmania. In warm tropical waters of 24C and up, combining Spectra Top Coat with a harder base coat becomes more important for durability. In cooler water, combining a harder base coat will give benefits in terms of durability but it is possible to get high performance with only using Spectra Top Coat. No mater where you are on the map, a small top up every surf with Spectra Top Coat will ensure you get consistent tacky texture.

Thermodynamically Protected, No Melt Mess

There is no getting around the fact that if wax gets hot enough it will melt. But that does not mean the wax needs to seep into the cup holder or the carpet of your car. We designed spectra to be thermodynamically protected within the rigid container to precent it from getting too hot. If temperature does reach the melting point, the container prevents wax from making a mess or collecting dirt.