DIY Waxing

[jimmywilson69]

I am thinking about getting into DIY waxing. Tamdock has this kit right now.

http://www.tramdock.com/?cmp_id=ODAL_RSS8001&mv_pc=r285&cmp_sku=SWI0420&avad=1232_e1398613

Is this a decent setup to start? Obviously the iron is the most important part of the setup. Is this iron good to start with?

any help is appreciated.

thanks

Kevin

 

[BeanoNYC]

The pricing for that package is good. Typically that iron (swix sport iron) goes for $79 alone. That being said you can get the swix economy iron for cheaper and still get the same result.

 

[thetrailboss]

I agree. That is a good deal. That is a good iron to go with--a basic one like mine. Hell, I used to use a clothes iron and it worked. But ski irons are best because they have the temperatures marked on them and provide a more stable temperature. Get yourself a diamond stone and a steel/nylon structure brush and I say you are good to go!

 

[thetrailboss]

Only other things you will need are a sharpener and a vice. A standard file and a shop vice will suffice.

 

[gmcunni]

i ordered one.

 

[BeanoNYC]

But ski irons are best because they have the temperatures marked on them and provide a more stable temperature.!

And they don't have steam holes!

Get yourself a diamond stone and a steel/nylon structure brush and I say you are good to go!

This and a few scotchbrite pads for the final buff.

 

[gmcunni]

a steel/nylon structure brush

what the brush for?

This and a few scotchbrite pads for the final buff.

long ago i waxed my skis but never buffed when i was done, will give that a try as i get back into it.


anyone know a good site (haven't checked youtube yet) for videos on proper technique for waxing?

 

[marcski]

I use a 40 year old GE iron and a $2.50 soft steel brush from Home Depot. Works like a charm. Over the years I found that it works great when I leave it between settings 2 and 3, silk and rayon.

 

[thetrailboss]

The nylon/steel brush will create 'structure' for your base. Those are the grooves in your base. It also strips excess wax. e.g. http://www.gearwest.com/swix-steel-wax-brush-pr-8908612.html'

As to videos, check with Swix or Togner.

 

[BeanoNYC]

long ago i waxed my skis but never buffed when i was done, will give that a try as i get back into it.

Honestly, it doesn't do much except make it look like a nice professional job. If I'm doing a friend's ski, I will do it for the "wow" factor. On my own skis I'll do it to make the task longer thus enabling me to drink another beer. I really enjoy tuning!

The nylon/steel brush will create 'structure' for your base.

I will typically use my structure bar for the base but the steel brush for the first pass when removing excess wax.

 

[jimmywilson69]

thanks for the advice all. I ordered one. I figure this will pay for itself by the end of the season easily!

I'm not sure I'm ready for the whole sharpening the edges yet. Is that really something to be afraid of?

 

[BeanoNYC]

I'm not sure I'm ready for the whole sharpening the edges yet. Is that really something to be afraid of?

If you get some nice stones, and bevel guides to start with you will be ok. Worse case scenario you dull the edge and have them sharpened at a shop. I would stay away from using a file until you are sure of what you are doing.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

in the basement with a bottle of Merlot tuning now......

 

[marcski]

in the basement with a bottle of Merlot tuning now......

Merlot? IMHO, the only merlot that should be consumed while tuning (or perhaps otherwise, but that is a whole other can of worms) is the grapeless, carbonated variety made with lots of hops.

Either way, there is nothing like the smell of hot wax while imbibing in whatever may be your favorite drink of choice.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I have some old straight skis laying around, should I practice on those first? Is there really any way to screw up my skis royally?

I checked out the videos on Swix and they seem pretty informative. I have also watched a buddy do it before as well.

 

[deadheadskier]

I purchased this for this season:

http://www.swixshop.com/mm5/merchan...&Product_Code=F4060&Category_Code=swix-f4-wax

I used it on Sunday during the heat wave and it seemed to help some. Kind of a cheater alternative if you don't have a full home set up with iron.

 

[jaja111]

And they don't have steam holes!

You mean "excess wax reservoirs"? My iron cost $2 at a garage sale. The only actual ski tuning item I have used that hasn't been something found for far cheaper in a similar form or concept to the original "waxing" tool is this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/INNOVATIVE-NEW-...=250733907458&ps=63&clkid=6177577212718848642

It works as advertised and saves wax. Its great for getting the first excess wax off and then I use a regular scraper for the remainder.

 

[dl]

Consider saving yourself some time, effort and wax by using the Wax Wizard from Ray's Way. See http://alpineskituning.com/cms/. Mike at SkiMD turned me on to this and I've been using it for the past two seasons. I use it on my kid's race skis as well. Rub the wax on (Dominator all temperature), "heat" it in using the wizard and brush out the excess with a good quality set of brushes. Amazing how little wax you use. Of course you don't get the smell of a hot wax job......

 

[drjeff]

I have some old straight skis laying around, should I practice on those first? Is there really any way to screw up my skis royally?

I checked out the videos on Swix and they seem pretty informative. I have also watched a buddy do it before as well.

Go for it on the real skis. It really is quite hard to screw up waxing a pair of skis! Just keep the iron at a medium low setting, and then pretty much as long as you don't leave a hot wax iron sitting directly on your skis for say the amount of time it would take you to goto the store, buy a 6 pack, drink the 6 pack, and then order a take out meal and then eat that, without moving the iron you won't screw it up!

 

[jimmywilson69]

Go for it on the real skis. It really is quite hard to screw up waxing a pair of skis! Just keep the iron at a medium low setting, and then pretty much as long as you don't leave a hot wax iron sitting directly on your skis for say the amount of time it would take you to goto the store, buy a 6 pack, drink the 6 pack, and then order a take out meal and then eat that, without moving the iron you won't screw it up!

HA HA HA :lol::lol:

thanks for the words of encouragement! It looks that easy, but I just want to make sure!