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Official Ski/Binding Maintenance Thread

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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,267
As all of us know, it is very important to know how to use/maintain your ski equipment, so my hope for this thread is to have everyone post videos or picture tutorials on how to do various forms of ski maintenance, whether it's adjusting bindings, waxing skis, dulling edges, anything, but just so you know where to look when you have basic questions about this sort of thing

I'll put 2 videos in the OP:

How to Take Apart/Bend FKS
by me

How to Wax Your Skis
by mrstskier

Next up just a few tips:

When you get home from skiing you should do 3 things:
1. take your skis inside and leave them there
2. wipe your bases and edges with a cloth or rag
3. pull your skis apart and lean them against a wall with the bases sticking up

Now it's your turn, post tips, stories, tutorials, anything relating to ski maintenance because it can greatly increase the life and performance of your gear


**DISCLAIMER**
A LOT OF THESE THINGS REQUIRE BASIC SHOP SKILL, PROPER TOOLS, AND EXPERIENCE. DO EVERYTHING AT YOUR OWN RISK AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO EXECUTE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PROCESSES. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU RISK THE LIFE OF YOUR GEAR AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING

This goes for advice giving as well, make sure you possess knowledge of the subject you're providing advice for because it can jeopardize people's safety if you give them false tips. So either make sure you know what you're saying or put in your post that you're just kinda guessing
Apr 21 2009 10:27PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
successful completion of widening of fks 120 brakes, thanks man
Oct 26 2009 10:17PM
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sasquatcher
Posts: 119 - Karma: 19
Hey guys, I just bought some Line Afterbangs. I am going tommorow to pick them up from the post office. Last few seasons I didn't really maintain my skis all that much, but I would wipe the edges/base from water to avoid rust, and at the end of the season I would get my skis waxed. When I get my skis I am going to bring them to the ski shop and transfer a pair of bindings. I am new to the waxing and maintence stuff. So when I get the bindings switched, should I also get my skis waxed? If so how much should they charge me? (don't want them taking advantage of me). How often should I get my skis waxed? You guys will probably suggest to do it my self and buy all the irons, wax, and stuff, but I don't have money for that stuff. I would appreciate any suggestions, or help on ski maintence, thanks guys! karma++
Oct 30 2009 10:44PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
Yeah for sure you should think about getting em waxed, shoudnt cost more than 25 bucks.  wiping your skis is a big step in keeping your edges pristine, but it doesnt do much for your bases.  i mean if you wax like every 5 or 6 ski-days, you'll be amazed by how good they stay.

 yeah, its a little steep to get an iron, scraper, waxes, brushes, but if you get a basic start-up kit you should be able to do it for under 100...and at $25 for a wax at the store, you can see how much it'll save you. 

you don't need to go crazy, just like one warm and one cold wax, a double-sided brush, and a $35 iron.  look on reliableracing.com for a starter kit, and if you want i can ask around with my buddies for some used gear if they've got anything

and enjoy the afterbangs, you're a lucky man
Oct 31 2009 4:34AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
i would highly recommend you start waxing if you have afterbangs, as the bases on them are, well, to put it bluntly, total shit. they just dont hold wax well at all so you are gonna want to wax them as much as possible
Oct 31 2009 2:50PM
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sasquatcher
Posts: 119 - Karma: 19
Thanks, I appreciate your help!
Nov 1 2009 2:48PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Has anyone had experience with burton wax?
Click for larger image
Nov 9 2009 10:29PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
dont buy it, its shit even for snowboards
Nov 9 2009 10:48PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
I wasn't considering it, I was just curious. I use Toko
Nov 10 2009 9:10PM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
Will the same Jig that works for these
[IMG]http://images.usoutdoorstore.com/usoutdoorstore/products/full/marker_m11tc_free_bndng_09.jpg[/IMG
 work for a pair of griffons or jesters?
Nov 12 2009 9:36PM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
Click for larger image
Nov 13 2009 6:24AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
no
Nov 13 2009 3:17PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Does it matter what temperature you wax at? Like can I wax in the garage when it is -25C?
Nov 17 2009 8:46PM
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Horsefacekillah
Posts: 867 - Karma: 874
After every season put your binding din down to 0 it will increase the life of your binding. Also i see this alot when your done skiing do up the buckles on your frickin boots its wats keeping yall in the ski so do em up itll keep them tight to prevent shin bang and you toes jamming into the front of the boot. Tune and wax your skis regularly keeps them fast and sharp
Nov 17 2009 8:52PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
im not so sure about the binding one...every time you turn the screw you're torquing/de-torquing the binding springs, which fatigues the metal.
Nov 17 2009 10:15PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
A. show me 1 binding that goes to 0
B. dont turn them all the way down, just a bit lower
c.most kids on here have no need to sharpen their skis since they are hitting rails or skiing pow. not many bomb groomers
Nov 18 2009 1:27AM
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T_orageskiier
Posts: 580 - Karma: 13

So i have all the basic waxing tools and such and have been waxing my skis for a few years (learned tons from this thread) but i have just been waxing them on some old stools. Where do you guys get the vices to clamp your skis onto the table? And what is the difference between a blue nylon and a white nylon brush( i have always just used the white nylon)? Thanks!

Dec 1 2009 7:07PM
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tramdockwobbler
Posts: 106 - Karma: 43
legit video on FKS brake bend
Dec 1 2009 7:47PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
blue nylon is softer, and you'd use it if you wanted to use a longer brush cycle.  unless you really want to go fucking fast, you don't need to worry about it.

vises are expensive, theres no way around it, but you can pick a good one up at for fair price ($125) at reliable racing: http://www.reliableracing.com/detail.cfm?edp=11086295

...sorry, links still arent working for me
Dec 1 2009 11:08PM
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T_orageskiier
Posts: 580 - Karma: 13
ok thanks will an 85mm still work with a ski thats 87mm underfoot?
Dec 2 2009 5:44PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,429
not sure if it was answered already but what would happen if i used a shitty iron from walmart?
Dec 4 2009 3:37PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
yeah, just do passes with the brush on either side of the ski.
Dec 4 2009 4:39PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
you'll have no control over the temperature of the iron, and will probably melt the base structure, destroying your ski's ability to absorb wax. get a swix econo iron from reliableracing.com for like 30 bucks, its just worth it
Dec 4 2009 4:40PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,429
sweet thanks. i didnt realize they were that cheap
Dec 4 2009 4:44PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
I just checked the website, they used to be 35, bumped up to 40...but I'd still highly recommend it.  I've had my swix iron since 7th grade (now freshman at college), and its still kickin' 6 years later
Dec 4 2009 5:40PM
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T_orageskiier
Posts: 580 - Karma: 13
about what temps do you guys set your iron at?
Dec 4 2009 6:07PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
should say on the wax box exactly where your iron should be.
Dec 4 2009 7:00PM
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lifesadream
Posts: 161 - Karma: 145
Why do you not drip on the wax first? I know it uses more wax but then it's harder to burn the base of the ski.
Dec 4 2009 7:21PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
what do you mean by this?
Dec 4 2009 8:41PM
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lifesadream
Posts: 161 - Karma: 145
Most people stick the wax on the iron above the ski and then let it drip on to it. Then you iron it evenly throughout the ski. The iron never really actually comes into contact with the base.
Dec 4 2009 8:44PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
...obviously? isn't this how everyone does it
Dec 5 2009 12:12AM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
My thoughts exactly.
Dec 5 2009 10:20AM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 360
you have to spread the dripped wax around with the iron?
Dec 6 2009 1:34PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
My shop (sports authority) doesn't have a Head mojo 15 template. They don't have very high customer sevice but they've never messed up a mount. I don't think they will order a template, so what do I do? Take them to a different shop or try and get a template myself?
Dec 6 2009 9:44PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
go to a real ski shop....
Dec 7 2009 1:25AM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
Yeah I really should. The problem is, the only legit shop around me closed (jibij). I have a variety of crappy box stores to take my pick of. I do cringe whenever I hand over my skis to the techs at sports authority
Dec 7 2009 8:30AM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5674 - Karma: 4,227
I have those goode composite poles and some bike grips that seem like they would work well on them. The only foreseeable problem is the diameter of the bike grip's hole is larger than the shaft, it looks like almost twice as wide or maybe 1.75 times as wide. I can't find a ruler right now so whatever. What would I fill the gap with, or is this just not gonna work with these dimensions?

I was thinking of cutting the grip and wrapping it around, but then it would be very thin, like holding the pole by the shaft only.

Also, if it took the normal grip off to see if the bike grips would feel better before i glue stuff, and didn't like them, would I have any trouble reattaching the stock grips? I don't think so, but these are my only poles and I don't want to ruin them.  Thanks for help and karma will more than likely be given out for good answers.


Dec 7 2009 4:24PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
not gonna work
Dec 7 2009 5:17PM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
Depending on the diameter of the shaft, 1/2" PVC, normal or thinwall. Thinwall fits perfectly on my aluminum Scott poles.
Dec 7 2009 9:02PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5674 - Karma: 4,227
I was thinking something along the lines of that during school today, but mine involved a custom cut wood tube, which is probably much harder to get than pvc. If only I had a ruler, I seriously think I have no rulers in this house. Maybe a broken in half one but that's it. +k to both.
Dec 8 2009 5:21PM
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OGHolliday
Posts: 2390 - Karma: 2,430
We got our first snow I want to sesh so bad and i have everything i need but my skis have never been waxed. How bad will i hurt them on pvc box?
Dec 9 2009 10:39AM
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GKO
Posts: 1467 - Karma: 1,410
i think armada comes all ready to go.
Dec 9 2009 9:10PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,267
all skis come with factory wax and are technically ready to ride...that being said you'll get more out of them if you wax a bunch of times before using them
Dec 11 2009 1:12PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
So I waxed my skis twice the other day, went skiing for a day and my bases were really dry?
Am I not heating the ski enough?
Dec 13 2009 7:38PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 360
lol @ new icon
Dec 13 2009 7:40PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
i wax about 10 times before skiing new skis
Dec 13 2009 7:54PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
These skis are one season old. They have been waxed 4 times already this season, 3 of them by me.
I think I am just being to paronoid about burning my ski, so I don't heat the ski up enough.
Does anyone know just how hard it is really to burn your base?
Dec 13 2009 11:04PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
depends on what type of bases you have, but like i said in my video, dont push down on the iron just go very slowly
Dec 14 2009 1:34AM
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schillz33
Posts: 121 - Karma: 15
If it solidifies too quickly it doesn't sink into the pores of the base.  in other words it is better to do it somewhere warmer.  Or you could make a wax box, but that is a pain in the ass.
Dec 22 2009 11:29AM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,429
just widened a pair of fks 120's using this tutorial. woohoo!
Dec 25 2009 11:12PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
*high five*
Dec 25 2009 11:51PM
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