To wax or not to wax...

SKIQUATTRO · Feb 9, 2007

and a brush.....hot wax, scrape, brush and then go over with a scotch brite pad....check out TOGNAR for waxing tips/tuning tips...i wax after every 4-5 days depending on the snow..corn is alot rougher and will scrape the wax off more than fresh powder.....

56fish · Feb 9, 2007

SKIQUATTRO said:
like Paul said, unless you are racing you wont be able to tell a difference......

Keep thinking that way folks...I'll beat you to first tracks every run. And, where longer run-outs exist (bottom of Jay in places), I'll beat you to the lift, too. And, the lounge! :beer: Being a boarder, I wax to avoid having to skate. It makes a huge difference in fresh snow.

You can avoid the "base burn" (white under the bindings, near the edges) by using very hard waxes near the edge.

Paul · Feb 9, 2007

56fish said:
Keep thinking that way folks...I'll beat you to first tracks every run. And, where longer run-outs exist (bottom of Jay in places), I'll beat you to the lift, too. And, the lounge! :beer:

Not comparing waxing v. not waxing, comparing wax temp range. I'll beat you to first tracks by setting my alarm clock earlier.

marcski · Feb 9, 2007

56fish said:
Keep thinking that way folks...I'll beat you to first tracks every run. And, where longer run-outs exist (bottom of Jay in places), I'll beat you to the lift, too. And, the lounge! :beer: Being a boarder, I wax to avoid having to skate. It makes a huge difference in fresh snow.

Like he said...unless he's racing.....its not a race!

But to each his own. And to be honest...I'm not so sure you would "beat" me even if you had wax and I didn't!!!

Marc · Feb 9, 2007

Sheik Yerbouti said:
Wow, gotta say I'm impressed with the amount of answers, but definitely confused by them. It looks like 50% say to wax, 50% say not to. If it won't hurt the skis, I'll wax em.

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

I don't think anyone is saying not to wax your skis, I think the debate will always be about the importance of it. And the importance of waxing is not a static value, it changes depending on the type of skiing you do. It has just a little value to me, which is why I'll do it maybe every 10 days out... maybe. Unless someone convinces me otherwise. Which would actually take someone who can explain the chemistry, at least on a basic level, of why UHMWPE needs wax. Vague, layman statements like "to keep from drying out" or "to protect it" does not really satisfy me without a good reason behind it and where that information came from (aside from making a lower friction surface, I know that works).

SKIQUATTRO said:
yes, wax.....it helps in all aspects of your ski, like putting oil in your car....put it this way, it cannont hurt to have wax on your skis....you paid alot of money for your skis, take care of em....

One may or may not have paid a lot of money for the skis. Either way, waxing will not hurt the ski, but it still takes time and money (samething). If it is not worth the potential returns, than it is dumb to overdo it.

No one changes their oil every 500 miles, do they?

56fish · Feb 9, 2007

Sorry, I just have that "no friends on powder days" mentality! Traded a laptop for high-end HF waxes.:smile:

marcski · Feb 9, 2007

56fish said:
Sorry, I just have that "no friends on powder days" mentality! Traded a laptop for high-end HF waxes.:smile:

Oh I hear ya..who has friends on a powder day? Just don't know if waxing really helps in those conditions....and where I ski...

Birdman829 · Feb 9, 2007

marcski said:
Waxing and tuning is overrated. As stated above, unless of course you're racing. I used to hand tune and wax everything. Now, just need to keep a decently sharp edge in icy conditions. Otherwise, its all about the skier..not even the skis, let alone a tune!

edit: I've also never had a pair of skis where the bases died out before the ski became a noodle or did some major damage ie. base shots or blown out edges.

Completely depends on how you use them. Some people have 5 or more pairs of skis so that a pair can last for quite a few years. I have 2 pair but I like to wax and tune them myself to keep them in good shape. It certainly doesn't hurt, it keeps them in good shape, and it's kinda fun.

SKIQUATTRO · Feb 9, 2007

Time: yes, all of about 30 min if that
Money: after the intial $30 or so for an iron, its very cheap..less than a pint

Some like sit and watch football for 4 hours, I like working on my skis for an hour on Thurs night when everyone is asleep....different strokes....point is is that i like to take care of my gear whether it be my skis/bikes/cars...

Goblin84 · Feb 9, 2007

Skiquattro, I agree. I really do like fixing up my skis. Have a beer or two, takes some time to do my 3 pairs of skis (well, two people are skiing on 3 pairs). It is really a great thursday night activity.

I will probably start the same thing with my bike in the summer. I have only just started getting into cycling. dont know my head from my butt when it comes to anything with a bike though

Terry · Feb 9, 2007

I wax my skis every 3-4 days out on the hill, depending on conditions. They definately turn better when they are waxed.

marcski · Feb 9, 2007

SKIQUATTRO said:
....point is is that i like to take care of my gear whether it be my skis/bikes/cars...

Oh, I take care of my gear...but as one noted earlier..its a cost benefit analysis. Mostly, for the type of skiing I do and where I ski, I don't find waxing to be that beneficial.

Paul · Feb 9, 2007

Agree with Quattro and Goblin.

There is a Zen-like quality to tunin' yer stuff.

* Geez.... I need to get a life....

SkiDog · Feb 9, 2007

SKIQUATTRO said:
point is is that i like to take care of my gear whether it be my skis/bikes/cars...

The way I look at it....you're skis are going to be a mess WAY before the bases "dry" out from non waxing......

M

marcski · Feb 9, 2007

I'm with skidog!!!!!!!!!!

SkiDog · Feb 9, 2007

The life of a ski is VERY limited.....just ski em...have fun....hit rocks...buy a new pair...BUY USED...it doesnt hurt soo much...

M

Paul · Feb 9, 2007

SkiDog said:
The life of a ski is VERY limited.....just ski em...have fun....hit rocks...buy a new pair...BUY USED...it doesnt hurt soo much...

M

Just make sure to buy them from someone who waxed them frequently, otherwise the bases will be all dried-out

Sheik Yerbouti · Feb 9, 2007

Paul said:
Agree with Quattro and Goblin.

There is a Zen-like quality to tunin' yer stuff.

Honestly, I feel the same way, Zen and the Art of Alpine Skiing Maintenance

SkiDog · Feb 9, 2007

Paul said:
Just make sure to buy them from someone who waxed them frequently, otherwise the bases will be all dried-out

Good one......I think you'd have to keep a pair of skis around quite some time for that to happen...HA

M

Birdman829 · Feb 9, 2007

The problem is that if they dry out, the base can warp (giving you a base high ski or something like that) and they won't accept wax well if you do decide to wax them. As for time, I just waxed mine earlier today, took about 12 minutes. I'll scrape them and brush them for 5 before I head out tomorrow morning.

To wax or not to wax...

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