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Waxing my own skis for the first time

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MattL_RG
Posts: 51 - Karma: 515
So I went out and bought a cheap iron and some wax and a scraper at my ski shop, and I've spent about 3 hours now on the entire process from putting wax on the skis to scraping it off and buffing it, and I'm still only like 85% done. This is SO much work and I'm standing out in 40 degree weather on my back porch doing all of this. I feel like its going to take me a few times of doing this before I can do it quickly and efficiently.

Anyone else been waxing skis for a while have any tips on how to get it done quicker or have interesting stories about when they first starting waxing?
Dec 9 2013 1:52PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
It should be like 10 minutes tops.

Wax for 5, let em sit for an hour, scrap for 5. Doneso.

Helps if you have a good spot (shop table) that's easy to clean up.
Dec 9 2013 2:03PM
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TheDoughAbides
Posts: 1319 - Karma: 4,035
first time i waxed it took wayy longer than expected cause i used a ridiculous amount of wax
Dec 9 2013 2:05PM
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deerpong
Posts: 41 - Karma: 235
Dont go overboard on the wax or youre garuenteed a bad time
Dec 9 2013 2:13PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
Literally takes me 30 minutes for both skis.

1. Melt wax on ski A.
2. Iron wax into ski A.
3. Let ski A sit.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for ski B while ski A cools.
5. Scrape ski A tip to tail 3 or so times.
6. Use brush or brilla pad to buff.
7. Repeat 5-6 for ski B.

Easy.
Dec 9 2013 2:25PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,696
Its literally that easy, shouldnt take you too long. My college buddies and I can get 3 pairs of skis waxed and scraped in about 20 minutes flat now, and thats doing them on the floor with no aid from clamps or anything. Big mistake people make is to put way too much wax on.
Dec 9 2013 2:46PM
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shitpoop
Posts: 667 - Karma: 1,479
You dont even have to scrape. Take like 1 run and your skis will scrape itself
Dec 9 2013 2:53PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,696
not really, it may wear some of the wax off, but you won't be able to get nearly as much speed as if you actually scrape. And if you do this then you will actually have to scrape before re waxing or youll just be putting dirty wax back into the pores in your bases
Dec 9 2013 3:04PM
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srg_bchkv
Posts: 200 - Karma: 170
What wax did you buy? Wax for colder temperatures is hard and it can take longer to scrap it off. Still not 3 hours though. You'll do it faster next time.
Dec 9 2013 3:07PM
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outofschool
Posts: 12 - Karma: 6
undefined
Dec 9 2013 7:44PM
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outofschool
Posts: 12 - Karma: 6
undefined
Dec 9 2013 7:44PM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
Anybody use a brass brush or am I the only one?
Dec 9 2013 9:11PM
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BoardSideDown
Posts: 547 - Karma: 254
Brass brushes are really good at getting excess wax off, I do have one, but the only thing you need to be careful with them is to not brush to hard. Nylon brushes can't really mess up your bases, I think that's why most use them.
Dec 9 2013 9:56PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
I don't think too many people on this site are super worried about base structure.

But a brass (or any other metal, whatever I can get the cheapest) is definitely what I will buy next to add to my tools. I truly think that a good brushing is key to fast bases
Dec 9 2013 10:17PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
i just use a brass brush that was made for removing paint that i got at a hardware store for like $5. works perfectly and way cheaper than one at a ski shop
Dec 9 2013 10:39PM
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srg_bchkv
Posts: 200 - Karma: 170
I believe brass brushes are used to remove dirt from the base before waxing, not after. After scraping only a nylon brush is needed.
Dec 9 2013 11:55PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
like one of these?
Click for larger image
The wires on paint removal brushes seem so long
Dec 10 2013 12:31AM
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BoardSideDown
Posts: 547 - Karma: 254
Yes you are correct that brass brushes are used to remove gunk and other excess material from your bases, but you can also use it after waxing to remove more excess wax before using a nylon brush. A lot of it is just preference.
Dec 10 2013 4:26AM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
I only ever use a solid all temp wax. I'm not too picky between hard and soft waxes. I would be more concerned if I was racing.

All temp is pretty versatile and has worked great for me.
Dec 10 2013 2:22PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2233 - Karma: 2,885
All you want to know: (scroll down..)
http://www.jonsskituning.co.uk/content/category/5/14/34/
S
Dec 10 2013 3:43PM
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The_Polock
Posts: 345 - Karma: 1,280
Get yourself a good wide scraper from the hardware store.  Like a 6 inch wide one.  That way you can get down in it with both hands and scrape hard to the edge.  Should only take a second or two to scrape off the excess wax.  Polish with any old rag when done until nice and smooth.  It should only take you about 15 min to wax your shit once you got it down.

Dec 10 2013 4:41PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
Now that I think about it, make sure you move the iron frequently. I've heard of people letting the iron sit in one spot on the base for too long causing the top sheet to bubble and delam.

Whether that was a true story or not, moral of the story is to move frequently avoiding one spot of the ski from heating up to the point of damage.

Also make sure the iron is only hot enough to melt the wax. If the wax is smoking on the iron, that means it's too hot.

Those are the only pointers I got for ya.
Dec 10 2013 6:57PM
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