• Forums
  • Gear Talk
  • Do sidewall skis topsheets chip/delam easier than cap skis?

Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Do sidewall skis topsheets chip/delam easier than cap skis?

profile picture
skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
I bought the 2013 Atomic Punx about a month ago and have used them quite frequently. However I already have numerous topsheet chips and delamination, and digs into the sidewall. Just wondering, are skis with sidewall more susceptible to these damages, and how serious of a problem is this? How imperative is it that it's fixed?
Mar 4 2013 6:23AM
2 3
profile picture
Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
topsheet damage is cosmetic as long as it doesn't go deep and into the core. my chronics look pretty beat up but really it's just minor dings all over and performance isn't affected. sidewall damage can be more serious i think since it can compromise the whole sandwiching of the ski, but i'm not totally sure

don't bang your skis together like when you're on the lift trying to get snow off. if you do, make sure you tilt one ski so it's edge on edge instead of edge directly into sidewall. this'll also cut down on topsheet damage too
Mar 4 2013 7:51AM
0 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
generally speaking topsheet chipping is purely cosmetic, just make sure you don't chip down to the woordcore...
if you want to fix it, clamp down the chips/delams with slow curing marine grade epoxy, let it dry 24h then cut off the excess epoxy/chip edges with a razor blade so it's all smooth again ...

but really, without having seen your damage, its most likely purely cosmetic :)
Mar 4 2013 8:27AM
0 0
profile picture
skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
There are spots where wood is visible, where the topsheet is gone so I am unsure....maybe I should upload some pics
Mar 4 2013 1:38PM
0 0
profile picture
Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,688
Upload pics, I think I may have the same problem on my FRs, I keep really good care of them just so happens that my skis have rubbed together at some point and caused chipping, I'll get some pics too next time I'm home
Mar 4 2013 2:37PM
0 0
profile picture
skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
This is the largest chip where the wood core shows. There are several other similar spots, including the tips and tails.
Click for larger image

Chewed up sidewall at the same spot, as well as along some other parts of the ski:
Click for larger image

They also tend to peel where the topsheet/delam issues occur. I've had these about a month and a half
Mar 4 2013 3:18PM
0 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
Meh you'll be fine, epoxy if you are worried
Mar 4 2013 4:46PM
0 0
profile picture
skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
bump
Mar 6 2013 6:17AM
0 0
profile picture
Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,688
Exactly the same as mine FRs, nothing we can really do except epoxy them. If yours start to delam a lot or something else happens let me know so I can work out a solution, cheers buddy.
Mar 6 2013 7:09AM
0 0
profile picture
Cotter
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 850
My '13 chronics have so many dings on the top sheets, I just put epoxy over it just to be safe.
Mar 6 2013 8:05AM
0 0
profile picture
Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
Dude you cant be seriuous, thats like asking if youre skateboard trucks are ok because they have a few scratches on them.
Mar 6 2013 5:08PM
0 3
profile picture
skiSBmaine
Posts: 929 - Karma: 589
The pictures dont do it justice, but cmon man. My previous skis never had damage similar to this, even after a year and a half. The purpose of this thread was just to check and see how serious it was.
Mar 6 2013 7:35PM
0 0
profile picture
DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Well, if you remove the topsheet then you might see wood. But unless you get through all the glass and resin and reach bare exposed wood then you're fine. If bare wood is there, throw some epoxy over it. Otherwise keep skiing.
Mar 6 2013 9:36PM
1 0
All times are Eastern (-4)