Start Tar Kick Wax
Wax products typically lower PFAS risk, but verify full ingredient list.
This wax product has no known PFAS treatment. Brand provides no disclosure; full ingredient transparency recommended before purchase.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Wax-based formulation
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Start Tar Kick Wax is made of, ingredients and materials
Start Tar Kick is a hydrocarbon wax formulation designed for ski and snowboard base preparation. Wax products in this category typically contain paraffin, microcrystalline, or natural wax blends with added performance additives (colorants, friction modifiers) to lower glide resistance. The "tar" designation in ski waxes refers to historical bitumen-based additives; modern formulations use synthetic or natural tar derivatives. As a solid wax applied topically to ski bases and then removed or melted off, dermal absorption is minimal and ingestion risk is negligible for normal use.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) from heating
Melting or ironing wax may release minor hydrocarbon vapors; no specific test data for Start Tar Kick exists on record. Risk is low with brief, ventilated application but not zero.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Ski wax colorants (dyes added for product identification) are not documented sources of lead or cadmium in this category. Start does not disclose pigment sourcing; no violations are on record.
Source, FDA ↗Residual contaminants in tar or bitumen derivatives
Modern synthetic tar additives in ski wax are refined; historical concerns about coal-tar carcinogens do not apply to current formulations. No recall or toxicity alert exists for Start Tar Kick.
Skin or respiratory sensitization from additives
Wax is applied externally and removed before use; direct contact is brief and does not penetrate intact skin. No allergen or sensitizer alerts are on record for this product line.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Start is a Scandinavian ski wax manufacturer with a long history in winter sports. The brand maintains no publicly available detailed ingredient disclosure or third-party safety certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Bluesign) on record for this product. Start has not published statements on PFAS avoidance or use, though the PFAS grade reflects lower typical risk in solid wax formulations. No product recalls or established safety controversies are documented for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Ski waxes occupy a narrow safety profile, solid hydrocarbon waxes pose lower chemical leaching risk than liquid or aerosol products. Start Tar Kick sits in the mid-to-premium market segment alongside brands like Swix and Toko. Competitors in this tier generally offer similar wax chemistry without transparent ingredient lists; Start's lack of disclosure is typical rather than exceptional. The main differentiator in the category is whether brands have voluntarily published PFAS or heavy metal test data, which Start has not.
If you buy it
Apply wax in a well-ventilated space, as heating (via iron or heat gun) produces minor wax vapor; avoid prolonged inhalation. Remove excess wax by scraping or re-heating to avoid buildup that may affect ski performance. Store in a cool, dry location away from heat or direct sunlight to prevent softening or separation of components. Replace or reapply before each ski season, or when base glide noticeably declines. Wash hands after application; although ingestion risk is low, avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 60% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Start has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Start Tar Kick Wax?
- hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and mineral oil vapor
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- hydrocarbon wax blend
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Thermal degradation and fume emission
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Wax-based ski base, fluorine-free formulation
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Inhalation of wax particulates and volatiles during application
More ski & sports wax grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.