| How to Make Skate Wax Posted: 18 Apr 2021 01:00 AM PDT Many skaters rely on quality skate wax to easily pull off grinds and other tricks. Ordering from a skate shop gets costly, but you can make your own wax at home for a fraction of the price. Make a basic wax by melting candles or crayons in the oven, or do it on a stove to keep a closer eye on the quality. As you get used to the process, try using raw paraffin and beeswax for even better bars. Bust tricks instead of your wallet with your own style of skate wax. [Edit]Melting Wax in an Oven - Preheat an oven to about . Let the oven warm up for at least 5 minutes while you prepare the wax. Wax has a low melting point, so keep the temperature low to avoid burning it. If your oven doesn't have a lot of low-heat options, use the lowest setting available.
- Different types of wax melt at different temperatures, but you never need a lot of heat. At most, set the oven no higher than .
- Cut candles or crayons into small pieces. Try using some leftover tea lights or a pack of crayons you no longer need. Slice them up to roughly the same size. Also, pull out any wrappers or wicks as you come upon them.[1]
- The exact size you cut the wax to isn't that important, but keep in mind that smaller chunks are easier to work with and melt faster.
- The best candles to use for your skate wax are ones made out of paraffin, although any type of waxy, oily product tends to work.[2]
- You should also try to use a wax that's more solid as opposed to one that's crumbly.[3]
- Place the cut wax into an oven-safe bowl. Cake baking bowls are the perfect size if you have them. Make sure the bowl is big enough to hold all of the melted wax. If you're making a lot of skate wax all at once, put some of the wax in a second container to prevent it from spilling.[4]
- If you're uncertain about using a bowl, flip it over to check it for an oven-safe label first.
- You could also melt wax in a microwave. Some metal containers are not safe for use in the microwave, so look for a safety warning on the container to avoid a scorched mess.
- Pour about of cooking oil in with the wax. Vegetable oils like canola oil work well in skate wax. The oil makes your skate wax smooth and easy to scrub on your board. You don't need much of it, but make sure you have room for it in the container.[5]
- Less is more when using the oil. If you add too much, you end up with a soft and brittle wax.
- Melt the wax for about 10 minutes in the oven. The wax likely will begin melting right away, so keep an eye on it. When it melts, take the container right away to prevent it from overheating. Consider giving the wax a brief stir to ensure the oil mixes evenly with it.[6]
- Put the bowl in the refrigerator to cool overnight. The wax gets pretty hot in the oven, so consider setting the bowl aside for 5 minutes to let it cool a little. Then, leave it uncovered in your refrigerator. Wait for the wax to feel cool and completely solid to the touch.[7]
- If you take the wax out too early, it can fall apart. You won't be able to use it, so the extra wait is worth it.
- Pry the hardened wax out of the container with a knife. Once your wax chills, it's ready to be used on your skateboard. Flip the bowl over and try to pop the wax out with your fingers. Sometimes the solidified bar is a little stubborn, so wedge it out with a knife as needed.
- Another way to remove the wax is by cutting into it with a sharp knife. You could also heat the container a little, such as in the microwave, to melt the edges of the wax.
[Edit]Mixing Wax on a Stove - Choose some small candles to use for the skate wax. Paraffin tea lights are a great choice for making your own skate wax. You can also cut up crayons and other types of candles. Get about 2 or 3 candles, usually enough to make a single bar of skate wax.[8]
- Get additional candles or crayons if you plan on making more bars. Keep in mind that making lots of skate wax on a stove is tough, so you may need to make one bar at a time.
- Crayons and colored candles are useful for coloring your wax bars. You can mix them in with basic white candles. Mixing and matching is okay.
- Cut wax pieces into a metal container. Cut them up roughly with a small knife, removing any wicks or wrappers as you reach them. As you work, drop the wax into an empty container, such as an aluminum soup can or soda can. You could also use a heat-resistant bowl safe for use on a stove.[9]
- To cut the candles into pieces that melt quickly, try scraping the wax with a knife. Hold the candle in one hand and drag the knife across it. Move the blade away from your body so you don't cut yourself instead.
- If you're using a soda can, cut it in half. Poke holes in the center first so you have a place to fit a pair of scissors. Then, use the scissors to remove the top half of the can.
- Fill a saucepan with about of water. Choose a cooking pan that is big enough to hold the metal container you're using. After you add the water, move the container to test your setup. The container needs to stay standing in the pan so the wax doesn't spill out.[10]
- The water temperature doesn't matter, but warmer water boils a little faster if you're looking to melt the wax as quickly as possible.
- Melt the wax over medium heat after placing the container on the pan. Watch for the wax to begin melting within a few minutes after the water heats up. To get it to melt faster, find something to stir it with. Try using a plastic stirrer like a spatula or chopstick you can easily clean off or throw away when you're done.[11]
- Stir carefully! Make sure the wax doesn't splash into the water. Anything in the water is unusable and might even burn when the water begins to boil.
- Add about of butter to the wax. As soon as the wax melts, scoop out a small pat of butter with a knife or a measuring spoon. You need about 2 teaspoons for a single bar of skate wax. The butter softens up the finished wax so it's easier to rub on your board. Stir it around in the wax until it finishes melting.[12]
- Some people use alternatives in their skate wax. Soap is a decent replacement, even products like deodorant work.
- Use butter as sparingly as possible. Too much butter makes the skate wax way too soft to use on your board.
- Stir about of cooking oil into the mixture. The final ingredient you need is whatever cooking oil you have on hand. Vegetable oils like canola oil are perfect for skate wax and you probably have some in your home. Pour the oil into the wax mixture, stir it around for a minute, and let it heat through for 2 or 3 minutes.[13]
- This part can get a little dangerous. The water in the pan is probably boiling ferociously at this point. Watch out for oil spatter and consider covering your hands to avoid burns.
- Adjust the amount of oil used as needed to change the skate wax's consistency. Normally, using less oil is better so the finished bar isn't too soft.
- Pour the wax into refrigerator-safe containers or molds. Steel yourself for the trickiest part where you have to handle hot wax. Get your containers set up before you take the can off the stove. When you're ready, pick it up with potholders, then gradually fill the containers one at a time.[14]
- Some examples of containers to use include rubber ice cube molds, aluminium cupcake wrappers, heat-resistant bowls, and even empty deodorant or glue stick containers.
- Keep the wax away from any drains in your home. If the wax goes down the drain, you might end up with a big plumbing emergency.
- Chill the wax in the refrigerator overnight. Keep your potholders at the ready as you carefully move the containers to your refrigerator. Clear out space for them first before picking them up. After fitting them in the refrigerator, check back in the morning to see your finished skate wax.
- Make sure the wax solidifies completely before you pry it out of the molds. Leave it alone for as long as a day to ensure it comes out at the right consistency.
[Edit]Using Paraffin Wax Bars - Choose pure paraffin and beeswax to make better skate wax. Most homemade bars of skate wax are made with repurposed candles or crayons. A paraffin and beeswax mixture is closer in quality to what you find at skate shops. You need a single bar of 100% paraffin wax as well as a bar of beeswax. If you're planning on making a lot of skate wax at once, get more.[15]
- You can buy good paraffin and beeswax online, but also check hardware stores and craft supply stores in your area. These places may also carry the coloring wax you can use to customize your bars.
- Add the paraffin and beeswax to a metal pot. Get a big, metal cooking pot to fit on your stove or an electric burner. You could also try melting the ingredients together in the oven or microwave, but it's easier to do on the stove. Then, drop both bars of paraffin and beeswax into the pot. You don't have to cut them up, although breaking them up makes them melt faster.[16]
- For the perfect skate wax, try making your mixture 60% paraffin to 40% beeswax. If you purchased bars of both ingredients, using the whole bars is fine.
- The beeswax softens the finished bar of skate wax, so don't add more beeswax than paraffin. The paraffin is the main component that gives skate wax its shape.
- Melt the ingredients together over medium heat. Wait for the pot to heat up. Once the wax begins to turn into a liquid, stir it around using a wooden spoon. Keep stirring the paraffin and beeswax until they are melted and well-mixed.[17]
- Add candle dye if you wish to color your skate wax. For the highest quality skate wax possible, purchase 100% natural wax dyes. The dyes look like small pellets of wax. They look and act the same way as the paraffin you used. Toss them into the pot and stir them around as they melt.[18]
- The color of the mixture changes as soon as the dye melts. To avoid darkening your skate wax more than you want, add the dye in small amounts, waiting for each batch to melt before adding more.
- There is no set amount for how much dye you need. It all depends on how you wish to customize your skate wax. You could even leave out the dye if you don't mind the brownish color from the beeswax.
- Pour the wax into container or molds to shape into finished bars. Set up your containers on a table close to the pot. The wax is very hot, so put on gloves or potholders. If you're making a big batch of wax, consider scooping the wax out with a measuring cup to easily pour it into the molds. Then, fill each container completely as much as possible.[19]
- Cupcake wrappers are great for creating small puck-shaped bars of skate wax, but you can use many other types of containers. For instance, ice cube molds work well, but so do heat-resistant containers and even metal cans.
- Leave the wax in the refrigerator overnight until it solidifies. Chill the wax until it forms a solid bar you can easily remove from its container. The exact length of time this takes depends on the size of the bar you plan on making, among other factors. Larger bars of skate wax can take up to a day to set, so give the wax some extra time in the refrigerator if you need to.
- Be careful when moving the hot wax to the refrigerator. Cover your hands and move slowly. If you have a lot of wax to move, let the molds cool down a little bit first, or leave them out until the wax solidifies.
- Anything with paraffin in it can be used to create custom skate wax. This includes products like petroleum jelly and store-bought lubricants.
- Use different molds to alter the shape and size of your skate wax bars. The amount you pour into a mold also determines how the finished product looks.
- If you want to color your skate wax, melt colored candles, crayons, or candle dye. Food dye doesn't go well with wax, so don't bother with it.
[Edit]Warnings - Making skate wax involves a lot of heat and melting and boiling things, so burns are possible if you're not careful. Cover up with long-sleeved clothing and latex gloves or potholders to reduce the chances of accidents.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Melting Wax in an Oven - Oven
- Oven-safe container
- Spare candles or crayons
- Paring knife
- Measuring cup
- Cooking oil
- Oven mitts
- Refrigerator
[Edit]Mixing Wax on a Stove - Stove
- Saucepan
- Metal can
- Paring knife
- Measuring cup
- Water
- Butter
- Cooking oil
- Potholders
- Molds
- Refrigerator
- Spare candles or crayons
[Edit]Using Paraffin Wax Bars - Metal cooking pot
- 100% paraffin
- Beeswax
- Wax dye
- Molds
- Refrigerator
- Potholders
[Edit]References |
| How to Clean Your Lightning Port Posted: 17 Apr 2021 05:00 PM PDT If you're experiencing intermittent issues while charging your iPhone or iPad, your Lightning port could be clogged with foreign debris. This wikiHow teaches you how to safely remove dust, lint, and other matter from your iPhone or iPad's charging port using common household items. - Power down your iPhone or iPad. To do this, press and hold the power button that's on either the top or side edge, and then drag the on-screen slider to the Off position.
- Shine a flashlight into the Lightning port. You'll usually be able to spot a blockage with the right lighting.
- Closely inspect the walls inside of the port. If there's a layer of gunky buildup around the edges, it could prevent the charging cable from making proper contact with the inside pins.
- Spray the port with quick bursts of compressed air. A can of compressed air is often enough to free looser particles (such as dust, pet fur, or lint) from the port. Use short, light bursts rather than one lengthy spray.
- Use your flashlight to re-inspect the port. If you no longer see debris, give the port 2 to 3 minutes to dry before attempting to charge your iPhone or iPad.
- Scrape the walls of the port with a toothpick. If the port is clogged with dust or lint clumps, a quick gentle swipe or two should free the trapped particles. If there's a layer of gunk or grime caked along the walls, gently scrape around the edges to dislodge it.
- The Lightning port is filled with many small electronic pins—too rough of a scrape could cause irreparable damage. Try wrapping the end of the toothpick with a small amount of cotton for extra padding.[1]
- If you've identified a build-up on the inner walls, you may need firmer tool than a toothpick. Try a plastic dental flosser.
- Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol for tougher jobs. If the substance in the port feels sticky and/or is hard to remove with a dry tool, dip a cotton swab in a small amount of rubbing alcohol, and then gently swab around the inner edges.[2] Circle the swab around the edges as many times as it takes to remove all residue.
- Allow the port to dry for 2 to 3 minutes before turning your iPhone or iPad back on.
- Attempt to charge the iPhone or iPad. If you were experiencing a charging issue related to a dirty port, you should be in good shape now. To prevent build-up from accumulating in your Lightning port in the future, avoid carrying your phone or tablet loose in a pocket or purse.
- If the phone or tablet isn't charging (or the charging process stops and starts randomly), try a different Lightning cable and/or power source.
- If cleaning the port and swapping cables doesn't solve the issue, contact Apple for repair. Visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232 to find Apple support phone number for your region.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Start a Concierge Business Posted: 17 Apr 2021 09:00 AM PDT Starting a concierge business is a great idea! People are busier than ever these days, and you can provide a much-needed service by helping them take care of things like errands and other tasks. Even better, you can run this business out of your home and you don't need anyone other than yourself. You can always grow your team after you find your niche and become successful. [Edit]Business Organization - Select which services you will offer. A personal concierge can offer a wide variety of services for their clients. Write down exactly what sort of concierge you want to be and what you will do. For example, maybe you are going to be a personal concierge that assists with errands and household tasks. You might include services like:[1]
- Grocery shopping
- Picking up/dropping off dry cleaning
- Purchasing and sending gifts
- Walking dogs
- Caring for plants
- Focus on a niche where you can excel. You might start by offering a wide array of services and discover that you are better at some than others. You might also find that you really love doing some things and really dislike some others. It's definitely okay to adjust your services as you grow your business. Find a niche where you can really do well and focus on expanding that area of your business.[2]
- For example, maybe you discover that you're getting a lot of great feedback about your gift buying services. Start developing that part of your business by adding more customizable options and doing more marketing in that area.
- Give your clients a high standard of service so they refer you to others. You want each client to feel like they are your most important. Try adding an extra touch, like leaving a personal note when you drop off their groceries or spending an extra few minutes playing with their dog. When your clients give you positive feedback, ask if they would mind leaving a positive review on social media or giving your name to a friend.[3]
- You can use these positive reviews in marketing and advertising your business.
- Get basic office equipment and reliable internet to run your business. Make sure that you have a cell phone that gets good reception so that your clients can easily reach you. You'll also need a laptop with a stable internet connection so that you can work on your website and keep your accounts up to date. You don't need much in the way of office furniture, especially if it's just you starting your own business. If you have other employees, you might consider renting office space.[4]
- You can print your promotional materials at a place like a FedEx or UPS store that offers professional printing so that you don't have to invest in your own equipment.
- Expect to work non-traditional hours. A good concierge should be available when clients need them. That means that you shouldn't plan to work a traditional 9-5 job. Depending on what types of services you offer, you might find yourself working early mornings, evenings, weekends, and even holidays.[5]
- It's also important to understand that most of your days will probably be different from each other. For example, you might have 7 clients on Mondays, but only 1 on Tuesdays. Use your downtime to work on things like billing and marketing.
[Edit]Finances and Insurance - Draft a basic business plan to help define your business. You can develop a thorough plan at some point, but to get started, write a short plan that is about 10 pages. This will help you get a concrete idea of what your business will look like. You'll be able to show it to others as you work to get the permits and insurance that you'll need to get going. Make sure your business plan includes:[6]
- Your business concept
- Market analysis
- Financial analysis
- Consult an expert about legal requirements for setting up a business. When you start a business, you need to determine if you should set it up as an LLC or an S corp. You also need to make sure that you get all of the local permits that are required. Sound confusing? It's not just you that feels that way, so don't worry. You're not expected to know these things, so take a deep breath and ask someone who is an expert. Ask an attorney, your accountant, or tax preparer for advice.[7]
- Share your business plan with them and ask them to help you navigate specific resources that you need for a concierge business. Your needs are probably different from someone opening up a cafe, for example.
- Check city hall's website for resources for starting a new business in your community. You'll find lots of resources there, too.
- Don't shrug off getting permits. If you don't have them, you could get in trouble for not properly setting up your business.
- Call your insurance agent to get coverage for your business. Even if you're the only employee and you're working from home, your personal insurance won't cover your business. Call or email your insurance carrier and ask about business coverage. They might need to see your business plan, so be prepared to send them what you have. Ask them to walk you through different coverage options and the rates for each.[8]
- Explain to the agent where your business will be located, how many employees will be working there, and answer any questions they have. This will help them understand your needs for your concierge business.
- Get quotes from a couple of other agents. It never hurts to shop around a little for great rates. You can usually get a quick quote by visiting a website or making a phone call.
- Open business banking and credit accounts. Even though it might seem easier, don't use your personal accounts to run your business. It will make things a lot easier at tax time and for general record-keeping if you keep things separate right from the start. Call or visit your bank and ask them to help you get set up with business accounts.[9]
- For a business credit card, ask for one with a low APR and perks like cashback.
- Charge hourly rates for customers who use your services occasionally. As a concierge, you may have customers who contact you a few times a week or maybe a couple of times a year. For these types of clients, it's probably a good idea to set up an hourly rate schedule. Determine your rates in advance and include them on your website. It's okay to have different rates for different services. When your figure out your rates, take into account the difficulty of the task, whether you need transportation or equipment, and the going rate in your area.[10]
- For example, you might charge $25 an hour for light housekeeping, but only $20 an hour for basic house sitting services that include bringing in mail and watering plants.
- Typically, concierge services range from $25 per hour to $125 depending on the service and the market.
- Offer monthly rates for regular clients. You may attract clients that want to take advantage of many of your services on a regular basis. In this case, you will both probably find it easier if they pay a flat monthly fee rather than billing them by the hour. You can determine a maximum number of hours that you will work and make that part of the agreement. Make it clear on your website what a monthly rate includes.[11]
- For example, you could advertise a "Premium Package" that includes weekly errands, light housekeeping, and other tasks for $1500.
- Adjust your pricing as necessary. Once you've started taking clients you might realize that you have set your prices too low and you're not making enough money. Or you might see the opposite and find out you've set prices too high and you're having a hard time attracting clients. Don't be afraid to adjust your prices as necessary. Starting a business is a learning curve.[12]
[Edit]Marketing and Advertising - Come up with a memorable name for your business. The name is going to be what people use to find your business, so try to come up with one that is catchy and descriptive. It should let people know what your business does and also be something that they will easily be able to recall.[13]
- Something like Paul's Personal Concierge Service lets customers know that they will receive personal attention and the alliteration might help them remember it.
- Run a quick Google search to make sure there is not already a business with the name you want to use.
- Build a basic website that is easy for customers to use. This might sound really tough, but don't worry. There are lots of tools available to help you if you've never set up a website before. You can use an online platform like Weebly or Wix that will help you build a website for free.[14]
- You can also hire a professional to build and maintain your website for you if this is something you really don't want to tackle.
- Use social media to attract customers. Social media is one of the best ways to advertise your new business because you can easily reach a wide audience and it's free. Set up accounts for your business on popular sites like Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin. Make sure to include important information like how to contact you and what services you provide in your bio.[15]
- Keep your posts professional and positive. Try an Instagram post that is a photo of a dog with the caption, "Does your best friend need some extra company while you work? Call Paul's Personal Concierge Service! Available for pet care and all of your other personal assistant needs!"
- Ask everyone you know to spread the word about your new business. Word of mouth is another effective and free way to get new customers. Encourage family and friends to tell people about your new business. Let them know the important details, like the name, contact info, and services you provide.[16]
- Say something like, "Hey, it seems like the people you work with might be interested in a personal concierge. Would you mind hanging up one of my flyers in your break room?"
- Ask other small business owners in your area for tips about getting started.
- Make sure you have reliable transportation for running errands.
[Edit]References |
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