No matter which style of skiing you prefer, waxing your skis is necessary for proper performance. Tognar.com reports that polyethylene, or p-tex, bases need frequent waxing and that a waxed base is 30 percent easier to turn, more durable and faster than an unwaxed base. Ski waxing involves cleaning, waxing and scraping the base of each ski. With a few techniques, supplies and a work bench, you can wax your skis at home.
Step 1
Warm your skis to room temperature. Place them on your work bench with the base facing up. Use thick rubber bands to hold the brakes in the up position.
Step 2
Scrape the old wax from the bases with a ski base scraper. Wipe the base of each ski using a liquid base cleaner. Ensure that the base is free of wax and debris. Allow time for the skis to dry.
Step 3
Touch ski wax to a hot iron and drip the wax onto the base of each ski. Run the iron over the bases to spread the wax. Cover the entire base of each ski with wax.
Step 4
Remove the excess wax. Scrape the base, base edge and side edge of each ski using a ski scraper. Always scrape from the tip of the ski toward the tail.
Step 5
Brush the base of each ski using a ski brush with stiff, nylon bristles. Polish the bases with a scour pad for a smooth finish. Use continuous, tip-to-tail movements.
Tips and Warnings
- Use the appropriate ski wax for the temperature you will be skiing in; ski wax manufacturers commonly color code the wax for specificity. According to XCSkiWorld.com, "you can sometimes find acceptable irons at thrift stores, but the ski-specific models in ski shops and catalogs are well worth the extra money."
- Do not heat the wax too much because it can damage the bases of your skis, reports the ABC-of-Skiing website.
Things You'll Need
- Thick rubber bands
- Ski wax
- Ski scraper
- Iron
- Base cleaner
- Rag
- Ski brush
- Scour pad
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