Alpine skis are expensive pieces of equipment, and they can get ruined quickly when they're not properly maintained. Hot wax is applied to the underside of skis to protect the ski from damage, and it also improves the performance of the skis by reducing friction between them and the snow. Despite this layer of protection, skis still get scratched and dinged through common use, and this minor damage can lead to bigger problems if left alone. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do periodically to make minor repairs to your skis and keep them healthy and performing well.
Step 1
Deburr the edges of your ski every day after use. Small burrs develop when you use your skis--these are very small, splintered sections of the ski that develop on the edges. By deburring your skis, you prevent the damage from spreading and keep your skis healthy and sharp. Deburr a ski by wetting the diamond stone with water or melted snow, then lining the flat side of the stone along the flat, angled edge of the ski---this is often a mere one or two degree off from being perpendicular to the rest of the ski. Run the diamond stone up and down the ski's edge, keeping moderate pressure on the ski. Burrs will be identifiable by the crunching sound they make when the diamond stone hits them and breaks them off. Continue rubbing the stone on the edge until no burrs are detected.
Step 2
Repeat this deburring treatment every 3 to 5 days with a whetstone, which will provide a smoother treatment to your skis than a diamond stone. Whetstones are used only every so often because they take off more of the ski's edge.
Step 3
Run the edge file along the side of the ski using an edge file guide. This should be done after a whetstone treatment. Attach your file to the edge file guide, then place the guide flat on the underside of the ski. Make sure the file is flat against the side of the ski, then run it along the side, applying moderate pressure. This should cut the edge for a clean finish. If no cutting appears to be happening, rinse the file with water, or replace it if the surface of the file is worn.
Step 4
Wet a piece of emery paper, then run it along the side of the ski to apply a nice finish to the tuning and filing of the ski.
Things You'll Need
- Diamond stone
- Whetstone
- File
- Edge bevel guide
Member Comments