Air hockey tables come in several sizes and types nowadays, but the basic concept remains the same. This classic game offers pure entertainment for any game night with its simple rules and endless fun.
While there are many smaller and cheaper versions of air hockey available in the market, nothing beats the large tournament-style 8-ft or 7-ft air hockey table. Of course, the bigger sizes come with a bigger price as well.
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When you make a hefty investment in a full-sized air hockey table, regular maintenance is a must. You want it to function as smoothly as possible for years to come. One servicing technique for air hockey tables is waxing.
While not a mandatory maintenance requirement, you certainly can wax an air hockey table. This has many benefits, discussed in detail in the following section.
Reasons to Wax an Air Hockey Table
Waxing is of great benefit when you want to smoothen out a rough playfield or worn out table. It can also protect against furniture damage. If you want to maintain your table’s good looks and make it appear as good as new, waxing it can help.
The most common reason people wax an air hockey table is smoothness. The added wax coating can help you puck glide more quickly and smoothly, adding excitement to your game. If you love momentous matches instead of slow-paced ones, you might want to consider waxing.
What Kind of Wax Should You Prefer for an Air Hockey Table?
If you only want to make your table’s surface smoother, you can use any kind of wax. The best kind, however, is tabletop wax meant for just this purpose.
There are also certain kinds of waxes that you may already have. However, not every wax is meant for air hockey tables.
We especially recommend staying away from the following kinds:
Avoid using car wax
While car wax can make things seem all shiny and slippery, avoid it! This is because car wax tends to block the small air holes on the table from which it forms the air cushion needed for your puck to glide.
With car wax, therefore, you’re likely to experience many dead spots due to the elimination of the air cushion. You’ll also have a hectic time taking the wax manually out of those holes.
Avoid using surfboard wax
Surfboard wax will ruin your playing field! Actually, it’s made for the opposite purpose. Surfboards require more traction so that users can stay aboard them. Therefore, surfboard wax will increase friction rather than decreasing it to make things smoother.
The Steps for Waxing an Air Hockey Table
While waxing an air hockey table certainly isn’t a complicated process, it’s better to confirm how to do it properly before you begin. Follow the steps below for a smooth table surface:
- Turn on your table’s blower. The airflow from the holes will prevent any specks of wax from entering them.
- Wipe the table surface with a soapy cloth. Clean your table with a slightly damp cloth soaked in mild soapy water. Be careful to avoid abrasive detergents or harsh solvents that could damage the surface.
- Wipe again with a non-soapy cloth. The purpose of using the soap was just to clean the surface. Wipe away any leftover signs of soap.
- Use a small amount of spray wax and spread it with a cloth after the table’s surface has dried completely. Be careful not to get the wax inside the air holes.
- Buff the table to make it shiny and turn off the air holes after the wax has dried.
- Avoid cleaning the side rails of your table which come in contact with the puck.
Is There a Lubricant for Air Hockey Tables?
Spray silicone is the best air hockey table lubricant to maintain a smooth playing field. However, you should always use it sparingly otherwise your table will become too slippery.
This will make it impossible to predict the puck’s movement during the game. Buff out a tiny bit of lubricant with a soft, clean cloth over the playing surface. You can repeat this process every few months.
Conclusion
Air hockey table surfaces are best when maintained regularly. For a slick table, you need to clean and vacuum your table regularly, replace any worn out pucks, keep it polished, and lubricate or wax the surface.
All these steps will keep your table in good condition, enabling you to enjoy your game to the fullest.
