Waxing Skis

Right around the winter ski season, everyone begins to bring their snow skis out so they can hit the slopes as soon as possible. But since they've been stored in your attic or garage for the rest of the year, they might need a little waxing. Overtime, without use, your skis can get dry and perhaps might not be fit to give you the same smoothness on the slopes. Well, now that's a scary thought. Keeping this in mind, the use of wax skis becomes important. The wax is a material which is spread on the bottom of your skis (and snowboards). There are various types of ski wax which can be further divided into 2 different sections like glide wax and grip wax. But we are not here to find out the different ski waxes. What we are more concerned about is how to wax skis. And the answer is this Buzzle article on waxing skis. So let's not waste any time and get right to the point.

Waxing Skis at Home with Iron

We've already established the fact that you have to wax snow skis before using them. This is essential because a regular waxing of the skis will keep them stay in shape and will slide swiftly in the snow. So to tune your skis quickly and hit the slopes, here are some simple steps you need to follow for hot waxing skis with iron.

    * For waxing skis with iron, you'll require - towels, waxing iron, plastic wax scraper, nylon pads, a brush, vise, base cleaner, and ski wax. Once you gather the materials, go to the next step.
    * Sit in a well-ventilated room and place the skis on the vice. Your skis need to be at room temperature for waxing. If you were in snow just a few minutes ago, then wait for about half an hour before you begin.
    * Use clean towels to wipe excess snow and water off the skis. It's important to do this step to keep the base of your skis from getting damaged.
    * After the skis are at room temperature, take some base cleaner in a clean towel to apply on the skis. The base cleaner will remove all dirt and old wax off the base of the skis.
    * Make sure that the entire base of the skis are covered and you haven't left any dry spots. After wiping the base, leave the skis aside to dry properly. Don't begin till the skis are completely dry or else the wax won't work.
    * Meanwhile, heat the waxing iron before the wax is applied. Now you can use any iron (if you don't have a specific waxing iron) that doesn't have any holes on its base. There shouldn't be any steam coming out from the iron while you work on the skis.
    * When the skis are dry, apply ski wax directly on them. You need to rub the wax on the base of the skis. Cover it completely and don't leave any spots.
    * Then, once the iron is hot, iron the skis' base. Pretend as if you are ironing pants and iron along the grains and don't go from one side to another.
    * You will keep ironing till the base shows no dry spots. When the wax melts, the base of the skis will absorb it and hence, there will be dry spots. If this happens, apply more wax.
    * Leave the wax to cool down. Once it's at room temperature, use a plastic wax scraper to remove excess wax off the base. Next we use nylon pads to scrape off excess wax.
    * Use long strokes with the pads from top to bottom of the skis' base. This way, the level of the wax will be even throughout the skis.
    * In the end, all you have to do is use a stiff-bristled brush to rub on the skis. Don't use too many strokes; just couple on each ski will be more than enough. Use gentle strokes.
    * Now your skis are waxed. You can hit the slopes whenever you wish.

Waxing Skis Without Iron

Although using waxing iron on your skis is a popular method, you can definitely accomplish the task without it as well. In the following section, we will see how we can wax skis in a jiffy. Take a look.

    * For waxing skis without iron, you'll require - ski wax, plastic wax scrapper, hair dryer, vice, and nylon pads. Once you gather the materials, go to the next step.
    * Sit in a well-ventilated room and place the skis on the vice. Your skis need to be at room temperature for waxing. If you were in snow just a few minutes ago, then wait for about half an hour before you begin.
    * Use clean towels to wipe excess snow and water off the skis. It's important to do this step to keep the base of your skis from getting damaged.
    * After the skis are at room temperature, scrape any old wax there may be on the base of the skis. Use the brush to clean.
    * Apply the ski wax to cover the surface thoroughly. Make sure it's an even coat. Leave the wax alone to dry completely.
    * You can use a hair dryer on the base of the skis before applying the wax. This will make sure that the wax is spread evenly.
    * When the wax dries, use the nylon pads to buff the base to make it smooth. You can use the hair dryer again to get this step done quickly.
    * Remove any excess wax there is on the base of the skis and remove the skis from the vice. Hit the slopes once you are ready.

Whether you are searching for tips on waxing cross country skis, waxing skate skis, or waxing snowboards, the instructions mentioned above are ideal. Follow the steps mentioned for waxing skis exactly the way they are given in the article for optimum results.