Waxing Skis - How?

[bertusgeert 1]

I bought skis last season and have not waxed them. They're not in good shape.

I bought a small kit to do this, I want to learn how to do it myself, but don't have a vice.

The local shop does a machine wax for $30. I'd rather hand wax them myself. The filing should be easy.

Is it hard to learn to wax your own skis correctly? Should I just give 'em to the shop, or try to learn?

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!

[BillyVance 34]

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I bought skis last season and have not waxed them. They're not in good shape.

I bought a small kit to do this, I want to learn how to do it myself, but don't have a vice.

The local shop does a machine wax for $30. I'd rather hand wax them myself. The filing should be easy.

Is it hard to learn to wax your own skis correctly? Should I just give 'em to the shop, or try to learn?

I did my own when I was in college. Then again, I had a roommate who lived in upstate NY himself and went skiing with him all the time. learned all the usual stuff from him.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[d_squared431 0]

Do your self a favor and just pay the money for a wax job. I used to be a cheap ass with doing my own skis and boards but it is a pain in the ass to scrape and is messy. You can offer beer and or other stuff to a person in the shop and you will be hooked up for the season.

If you really want to know I will give you step by step via PM but again you have to know the right wax for conditions as in temp of snow if it is slush, powder, or ice. Then there is the outside temps.

TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1
I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH
You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly

[Amazon 7]

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I bought skis last season and have not waxed them. They're not in good shape.

I bought a small kit to do this, I want to learn how to do it myself, but don't have a vice.

The local shop does a machine wax for $30. I'd rather hand wax them myself. The filing should be easy.

Is it hard to learn to wax your own skis correctly? Should I just give 'em to the shop, or try to learn?

Take em to the shop
Ski wax is an artform.. tell them where you will be going to ski..... what kind of skiing you intend to do.... and a TRUTHFUL evaluation of your level of skill.

[Andy9o8 2]

By "not in good shape", I'm inferring you mean "used/second-hand". For skis that are not brand-new, sharpening the edges is every bit as important as waxing, if not more so. Dull-edged skis (if you don't already know this; forgive me if you do) won't bite into the snow as well when you turn, and can make the difference between staying upright and falling on your ass. Sharpening skis by hand, with a file, can be done, but it can be a ball-buster, plus you get inconsistent results if you're not experienced at it (or your arms give out).

Also, non-new skis often have gouges in the polymer surface and/or gaps between the polymer and the metal edges, that need to be filled-in with melted polymer, which then needs to be shaved-down smooth.

Then there's waxing. Yes, you can do it yourself. It is a lot easier to do with a vise than without (ditto for sharpening). Similarly, most ski shops do it better than amateurs do. Melting it on and ironing it is the preferred way; bit in a pinch I've just rubbed a dry wax block along the bottom, and got pretty fair results that will last at least a couple hours' worth of skiing.

Trust me: unless you're really, really flat broke (in which case can you afford the lift tickets?) it really is worth your while to pay some money get your skis tuned-up at a ski shop at the beginning of the season. Done right, they will:
-Check the binding attachments to the skis, and clean, lube and check the binding release mechanism;
-Fill in gouges and gaps in the polymer - the right way;
-Sharpen the edges;
-Do a really good wax job.

[skyjumpenfool 2]

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Take em to the shop
Ski wax is an artform.. tell them where you will be going to ski..... what kind of skiing you intend to do.... and a TRUTHFUL evaluation of your level of skill.

I disagree! Waxing skis is indeed an art form. Just like packing your parachute. It's part of the sport and something to take pride in. It's not hard to learn and easy to do. And, don't forget to sharpen the edges.

Spend your money on lift tickets. Wax your own skis and pack your own parachutes. IMHO as always.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=how+to+wax+skis&aq=0&aqi=g10&oq=how+to+wax+sk

Birdshit & Fools Productions

"Son, only two things fall from the sky."

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Downhill or cross-country?

I am assuming downhill.

Preparing your skis is not difficult. But you need to recognize what you can do yourself and what is better left for a shop to do.

1) Examine the skis. Are the edges intact? If the edges had not been compromised then your skis are still salvageable. But if you have torn out an edge, well you now have a pair of rock skis. Not the end of the world, every serious skier should have a pair of rock skis. You know a pair of skis you don't care if you trash them because they are already trashed. Just keep in mind you need decent edges on the inside edge of the ski.

2) Now examine the base of the ski. If there are small gouges in the base, you can fix this yourself. Take some p-tex heat it up with a lighter to where it begins to melt and fill in the gouges. After the p-tex dries, scrap off the excess p-tex until the p-tex and the base are flush with each other. However if the gouges are large (especially if you can see the core of the ski) take it into a shop. Usually it is better to let the professionals repair large gouges. Or if they can not be repaired, guess what? You have yourself a pair of rock skis. Every serious skier should have a pair of rock skis.

3) Edges need to be maintained. But there is a lot of confusion as to what this means. People think edges should be sharp. But what is more important that edge are square. Look at a brand new pair of skis. Notice that the edges are not overly sharp. But you will notice they are square. Use a file and try your best to make your edges square. This is where most ski prep time is spent.

4) To wax skis, get some wax, an old iron. Heat the iron and once it is hot enough, melt the wax over the bases and apply the wax liberally. Then using the iron spread out the wax to ensure the entire base is coved. Let the wax dry and then scrap off the excess (approximately 90% of the wax should be scrapped off until there is a very thin film of wax on the base). Then you should be good to go, but kept in mind the wax will wear off the ski within a run or two.

Waxing skis has it's benefits, but the most important part of ski maintenance is to pay attention to your edges and your bases. Edges perform best when they are square and you do not want gouged bases that add to the already existing friction between the base of the ski and the snow or ice you are skiing on.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[Amazon 7]

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Quote

Take em to the shop
Ski wax is an artform.. tell them where you will be going to ski..... what kind of skiing you intend to do.... and a TRUTHFUL evaluation of your level of skill.

I disagree! Waxing skis is indeed an art form. Just like packing your parachute. It's part of the sport and something to take pride in. It's not hard to learn and easy to do. And, don't forget to sharpen the edges.

Spend your money on lift tickets. Wax your own skis and pack your own parachutes. IMHO as always.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=how+to+wax+skis&aq=0&aqi=g10&oq=how+to+wax+sk

BUT.. just like at the DZ there are an awful lot of people near every ski resort/area ....who just like packers at the DZ who need the work.,... to support their skiing/skydiving habit.
PLUS they stay in very good practice.... and are a great source of information to learn all the local details from.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

BTW you don't need a vice to wax your skis, but your will need a decent work bench + 2 vices if you want to work on your edges.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[d_squared431 0]

When I was a snow bum I used to give free ski-snowboard lessons, wax jobs, etc for beer, safety equipment() and food..

I worked and basically lived at the mountain and the mgnt would get pissed that between lessons I would teach for free or under the table. But when you get paid 15 an hr to teach and only paid when teaching and were required to be there from 7am-5pm you have to make money some way.

TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1
I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH
You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly

[Amazon 7]

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When I was a snow bum I used to give free ski-snowboard lessons, wax jobs, etc for beer, safety equipment() and food..

I worked and basically lived at the mountain and the mgnt would get pissed that between lessons I would teach for free or under the table. But when you get paid 15 an hr to teach and only paid when teaching and were required to be there from 7am-5pm you have to make money some way.

See I was just thinkin of the people who live to ski or board

[d_squared431 0]

Yes you were!!

TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1
I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH
You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly

[Amazon 7]

Quote

Yes you were!!

I should also mention.. I have less time than money..... yes I am old and lazy and can afford it

Plus doing things like bending over a bench..sharpening and waxing.. or over a parachute to pack it REALLLY wreck havoc on my back.. I have broken it twice and RA REALLLY sucks

[KTWilliams 0]

Probably your best resource on the web. [/url]www.swixschool.com[url]

[d_squared431 0]

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Probably your best resource on the web. www.swixschool.com

fixed your clicky

TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1
I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH
You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly

[bertusgeert 1]

Some great replies. This is the reason that when I want a good answer to my questions, i ask it here.

I took my nicer skis to the shop and paid 'em well to do a good all round tune up.

I'll get a small bench & vices (need one for other reasons anyways) and do some work on my crappy skis which I bought very very cheap, and then wrecked in a bad conditions at chamonix. maybe this'll teach me to take care of my stuff better.

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!

[rehmwa 2]

If used, take to the shop and get them ground to the right angles and tuned and waxed for the first time. Some of that equipment you just can't duplicate at home

Most ski shops offer free waxing clinics where you can learn the basics - they win because they push all the gear you didn't think necessary in the 'starter' kit you have now. Some of that extra stuff really is useful. It's really easy to sharpen and wax. But you really do need a good clamping setup or it's a bitch. And they have to start with the right grind and condition that a shop will provide.

2 years ago I started taking care of my own as well as my wife and daughter's. the following year, when I took mine in for the pre-season tune, the tech took a look at them for a few seconds and said - don't waste your money here this time, go ski on them, they are good to go. $aved a ton of money and they were tuned a lot more frequently than if we had to take them somewhere else.

As for which wax to use for whatever conditions - you can learn that quick and it's usually part of the clinic. For someone that isn't skiing all the time, it's a joke to take them to a shop and get them done there - unless you plan to use them right away. How is the tech supposed to know the conditions a couple weeks from now if that's the next chance you get to go?

etc etc

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rehmwa 2]

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Some great replies. This is the reason that when I want a good answer to my questions, i ask it here.

I took my nicer skis to the shop and paid 'em well to do a good all round tune up.

I'll get a small bench & vices (need one for other reasons anyways) and do some work on my crappy skis which I bought very very cheap, and then wrecked in a bad conditions at chamonix. maybe this'll teach me to take care of my stuff better.

nevermind, you got it right

first tuneup at the pros - then do the regular stuff yourself

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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Is it hard to learn to wax your own skis correctly?

No, but it makes a mess. Once you step on wax shavings they get stuck to the floor. Scraping out side will avoid the problem.

If you're not racing you don't need temperature specific wax. Hertel Super Hot Sauce all temperature wax works well enough in nearly all conditions. You do need to wax frequently - you can notice a slight difference in flat spots on the second day and probably don't want to go more than three days without waxing. You can also look at the bottoms - when they get dry looking waxing should be in your near future.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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3) Edges need to be maintained. But there is a lot of confusion as to what this means. People think edges should be sharp. But what is more important that edge are square. Look at a brand new pair of skis. Notice that the edges are not overly sharp. But you will notice they are square. Use a file and try your best to make your edges square. This is where most ski prep time is spent.

Buy an edge tool which holds a piece of file at a 90 degree (or adjustable) angle. Especially if you ski or board early and late season where dings are likely. It'll keep your edges square and make things go faster.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

One other tip I forgot to mention when it comes to sharpening (ie: squaring) your edges. I like to keep about the first 3-4 inches on the tips of the skis dull and 3-4 inches of the tail also dull. This is because skis are made with a camber and when you properly initiate a turn, the first thing biting into the snow/ice is the tip of the ski's edge. I don't like it when my tips bite into the ice too much. You won't notice this biting action too much on soft snow but you will notice it on ice. If the tips bite into the ice too much before your weight is applied to the inside edge, it can cause the ski to track in a direction you don't want it to go which depending on how you control the situation could lead to some trouble.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[skiskyrock 0]

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Some great replies. This is the reason that when I want a good answer to my questions, i ask it here.

I took my nicer skis to the shop and paid 'em well to do a good all round tune up.

I'll get a small bench & vices (need one for other reasons anyways) and do some work on my crappy skis which I bought very very cheap, and then wrecked in a bad conditions at chamonix. maybe this'll teach me to take care of my stuff better.

The best thing I've found for waxing skis is something called a workmate shop box by Black & Decker (not sure anyone else make something similar). It is a tool box with a workmate type vise built into the top surface. The vise is perfect for clamping skis, and the box has enough room for the iron, torch, p-tex, wax and files.

I would strongly recommend universal wax. Use the wrong temperature specific wax, and you'll feel like you are velcroed to the slope.

[KTWilliams 0]

Personally I don't agree with the 90 degree edge setup (I mean if your gonna do edges yourself its best to do it right) If your going to do it on a regular basis invest in a 1 degree guide (89 degrees depending on manufacturer) for your bases and either 2 Degree or use the 1 degree on your side. I have found that I enjoy a 1 degree/2 degree the most. I would then get either a ceramic stone file or a fine 70 mm to detune your tips and tails and a hard gummy stone to detune the rest of the edge. I will warn you that this whole setup is approx. $200 so depending on how often you ski it may be more cost effective to use a shop (the shop I work at charges $20 for an edge grind and ch wax). I use swix HFBW7, HFBW6, or a combination of both the most. I would advize the novice skier to use ch in these temperatures because the price difference is staggering $350 and $30 respectively for the same quantity. I have been working in ski shops for nearly 6 years now so if you have any questions or tips on how to do it cheap feel free to PM me. Also if you find a shop that has a "Hot Box" I would suggest at the beginning of the season you have them leave it in there for a day or two because it is the equivalent to about 7-8 waxes. Depending on where you live/ski you may have trouble finding a shop that is equipped with one. By the way, where do you live/ski because this could change a lot of our advice.

~Kyle

[KTWilliams 0]

I forgot to add, invest in a good set of brushes, again price is not cheap, when all is said and done if you are going to be waxing yourself, and want to do it as well as a good reputable shop you are looking at an investment of approx. $500-$700 dollars. If you live in a little town in west virginia for example though you only need about $200 dollars to get as good a job.

~Kyle

[bertusgeert 1]

Right now i'm in southern Connecticut, skiing VT mostly. Not very often either this season.
Likely I will be moving to Denver or SLC this summer

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As jy dom is moet jy bloei!