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Problem with wax not sticking?

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Lus146
Posts: 422 - Karma: 2,285
I got a brand new pair of Volkl Ledges and I have so far put 3 coats of wax on them for maybe like 6 days on them (the rest are on my OMWs). I waxed them when I mounted them and then when that dried up I figured I did a bad job but now the second time I take them out after a hot scrape and a cool scrape they are super dry. Anyone have this problem at all with any of their skis?
Jan 27 2015 10:09PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5674 - Karma: 4,227
Get a base grind? Use softer wax? That's all I can think of. Or maybe your snow conditions are just eating wax.
Jan 27 2015 10:11PM
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Substitute
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 2,270
I don't really understand your problem.

Here's my process of waxing

Use a base cleaner to remove old wax

Run iron across clean bases

Drip wax on to warm base

Repeat on other ski

Scrap was until it looks even on the entire base

Brush until it looks even on entire base

Repeat on the other ski.
Jan 27 2015 10:13PM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
SubstituteRun iron across clean bases


Yeah never touch a hot iron to bare bases.

To OP's problem, are you sure the bases are actually that dry? You shouldn't feel wax on the bottom of the skis when you are done as the wax should be in the pores of the base, not chilling on top. If you are hot waxing properly, it shouldn't be coming out that quickly while riding.
Jan 27 2015 11:02PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,992
TotalNanYeah never touch a hot iron to bare bases.

To OP's problem, are you sure the bases are actually that dry? You shouldn't feel wax on the bottom of the skis when you are done as the wax should be in the pores of the base, not chilling on top. If you are hot waxing properly, it shouldn't be coming out that quickly while riding.


i second the hot iron never touching a dry base without wax. yea are you getting base burn at all? (a white layer type stuff forming on your bases)
Jan 27 2015 11:05PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Your skis could have shitty extruded bases, but I suspect that's not it because you have Volkls. I don't actually know if Ledges have extruded bases or not though. Some skis I've bought have bases that don't absorb wax very well at all, COUGHCOUGHLINECOUGH.
Jan 27 2015 11:36PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
Dude...
Wax doesn't just evaporate.... I bet you put the incorrect wax on em.
Unless you're rippin super GS turns at a competitive level, I highly doubt you need to wax your skis as much as you already have, also.
Jan 28 2015 6:05PM
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
SubstituteI don't really understand your problem.

Here's my process of waxing

Use a base cleaner to remove old wax

Run iron across clean bases

Drip wax on to warm base

Repeat on other ski

Scrap was until it looks even on the entire base

Brush until it looks even on entire base

Repeat on the other ski.


You just drip? Lol
Jan 28 2015 6:32PM
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Substitute
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 2,270
B.QuincyYou just drip? Lol


Don't know what you are referring to but I use a brick of wax. It is pressed against an iron and then drips...
Jan 28 2015 6:55PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
caucasian_chadYour skis could have shitty extruded bases, but I suspect that's not it because you have Volkls. I don't actually know if Ledges have extruded bases or not though. Some skis I've bought have bases that don't absorb wax very well at all, COUGHCOUGHLINECOUGH.


i honestly don't understand extruded bases at all. it's like hm, im buying this item for one reason, to slide on snow. "hey do you want the bottom of this thing to slide well on snow?" hmm no, that's not really important to me, just put some shitty material on there. it's only the reason i bought these fucking things
Jan 28 2015 7:11PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
RubberSouli honestly don't understand extruded bases at all. it's like hm, im buying this item for one reason, to slide on snow. "hey do you want the bottom of this thing to slide well on snow?" hmm no, that's not really important to me, just put some shitty material on there. it's only the reason i bought these fucking things


Most people have no idea what the fuck an extruded base is and why it's inferior to a sintered base, and extruded bases are cheaper to produce.

It's like how in my town the Holiday station sells non-ethanol premium, and the Exxon right next to it sells 10% "enriched with" ethanol premium for the same price and people still buy it. It absolutely defies logic, but consumers' ignorance about how their automobiles work allows them to pad their profits that way so of course they're gonna do it.
Jan 28 2015 7:30PM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
The problem I had when initially waxing skis was doing them after leaving in them in the car. Bring them inside and let them hit room temp before waxing.
Jan 28 2015 9:39PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Lus146a hot scrape


That could be your problem. Scraping before they cool takes off a ton of wax.
Jan 29 2015 11:51AM
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haggis_hunter
Posts: 399 - Karma: 207
SubstituteI don't really understand your problem.

Here's my process of waxing

Use a base cleaner to remove old wax

Run iron across clean bases

Drip wax on to warm base

Repeat on other ski

Scrap was until it looks even on the entire base

Brush until it looks even on entire base

Repeat on the other ski.


1 base cleaner is the snake oil of the ski world, it does nothing but dry the bases out, its a solvent designed to break down wax not remove dirt. It will stay in the micro pores of the base and reduce the adhesion of subsequent waxing. Hot scraping to clean the bases is far more effective as it lifts out the dirt, hot scrape then bush out with a steel brush is the best way.

2 Never and I mean never run an iron over a bare base, if you slipped or the temp was wrong then your going to melt your base.

3 Your much better off crayoning wax on the bases then dripping a litte on top of that, it reduces the chances of hot spotting and means the iron will never touch bare base.

Caucasian_AsianThat could be your problem. Scraping before they cool takes off a ton of wax.


Some bases (usually VHGC race bases) do not retain wax for that long. The bases on my pow skis will hold wax far longer than my GS skis.
Jan 29 2015 12:35PM
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Substitute
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 2,270
Lamafama1 base cleaner is the snake oil of the ski world, it does nothing but dry the bases out, its a solvent designed to break down wax not remove dirt. It will stay in the micro pores of the base and reduce the adhesion of subsequent waxing. Hot scraping to clean the bases is far more effective as it lifts out the dirt, hot scrape then bush out with a steel brush is the best way.

2 Never and I mean never run an iron over a bare base, if you slipped or the temp was wrong then your going to melt your base.

3 Your much better off crayoning wax on the bases then dripping a litte on top of that, it reduces the chances of hot spotting and means the iron will never touch bare base.



Some bases (usually VHGC race bases) do not retain wax for that long. The bases on my pow skis will hold wax far longer than my GS skis.


Hmm... I'll have to try this. I just did it how my dad thought me, thanks man.
Jan 29 2015 7:01PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,992
SubstituteHmm... I'll have to try this. I just did it how my dad thought me, thanks man.




yea thats why i never use base cleaner. hot scrapes open up the pores of your base, and allow the next coat of wax to be absorbed. ive heard the citrus based cleaners arent as bad, but i still stray from them. good luck man
Jan 29 2015 9:46PM
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