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Ski Waxing Question

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Flavacraze
Posts: 3 - Karma: 29
Howdy!
Just started waxing my own gear and after I waxed them today the base looks black(er) on both tails in this weird pattern.
What does this mean? Did I make a mistake or is this normal. Also, I have never waxed this particular set of skis and they are brand new... probably just have just left the factory wax but I've gotten pretty good at waxing my snowboards so I figured I'd be good to go waxing these skis. Thanks for any comments or help! Attaching a photo (click on it so it expands... its too little to see what i'm talking about) 😄

**This thread was edited on Jan 17th 2020 at 6:00:18pm
Jan 17 2020 5:57PM
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SnickleFriz
Posts: 328 - Karma: 900
Looks like base burn to me.
Jan 17 2020 5:59PM
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Flavacraze
Posts: 3 - Karma: 29
SnickleFrizLooks like base burn to me.


:( That's what I feared... I barely left the iron in one spot for more than a second or so... damn
Jan 17 2020 6:01PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8908 - Karma: 57,396
I can’t tell you what that is from but just something related that’s worth saying—

the “factory wax is the best” thing is kind of a myth. As far as I’m aware the factory wax’s primary utility is storage prep; waxing new skis with regular wax isn’t dumb at all
Jan 17 2020 6:52PM
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b00mSkis
Posts: 240 - Karma: -814
try scraping them really well then brushing really well and see if it looks better
maybe this is a dumb suggestion but idk just an idea
nothing wrong with waxing new skis, some manufacturers do good factory wax some dont, but never hurts to do a fresh coat
Jan 17 2020 9:41PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11228 - Karma: 76,274
Use some base cleaner, then use some base cleaner again.
Then wax them up real good. Don't use too hot of iron!
Heat and cool the wax several times. Each time let cool for an hour or so.
Now scrape the wax off real good and brush the crap out of them.
If you still see the stains, just forget it. Some bases can have "stains"
BTW, this should be in Gear Talk.
Also, "factory" wax should always be cleaned using cleaner first thing before you wax a ski.

After you watch this, understand that applying a very hard wax you will need a bit more heat, but never go over 250 F
If you do, you need to move fast because over 250F can melt the ski base.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/856726/Waxing-Skis-Basic-Waxing-With-An-Iron--amp--How-Long-It-Takes
Jan 17 2020 9:57PM
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Flavacraze
Posts: 3 - Karma: 29
Thanks y’all. I’ll try cleaning reapplying tomorrow. Sorry for posting in wrong section
Jan 17 2020 10:18PM
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BigTexas
Posts: 78 - Karma: 523
FlavacrazeThanks y’all. I’ll try cleaning reapplying tomorrow. Sorry for posting in wrong section

Don’t worry about it, admins tend to fix it by moving it.. just a kind suggestion for your next thread!
Jan 19 2020 12:15PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11228 - Karma: 76,274
FlavacrazeThanks y’all. I’ll try cleaning reapplying tomorrow. Sorry for posting in wrong section

Good luck, let us know what happens. Like I said, might be "Stain" and never go away.
Last resort, try a stonegrind if the skis are worth putting a few dollars more into.
The stains looked a lot like some kind of liquid had affected the bases.
Jan 19 2020 7:44PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11228 - Karma: 76,274
Looking again, it could be just excess wax in the tip areas due to concavity in those areas.
That condition usually shows more oval, rounded look.
What is strange is how it also appears as liquid drips flowing to the edges.
To further clean a low spot after scraping, use a plastic pot scrubber in those areas. Scrub good, then brush again.
Don't be afraid to use steel and brass brushes post waxing. Nylon and horsehair are only for polishing. they don't remove wax very well from a structure.

Maybe check out my scraping and brushing video.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/798663/Scraping--amp--Brushing-Skis-Final-Preparation-Of-Ski

**This post was edited on Jan 21st 2020 at 5:07:14pm
Jan 21 2020 5:05PM
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SkiBronJames
Posts: 90 - Karma: 248
It seems like a base burn to me. You either had the iron too hot or kept it in one spot for too long. Always make sure that the iron is hot enough to melt the wax but not make the wax smoke as your initially dripping it into the bases. I find that keeping my iron at around 110-120F does the trick perfectly.
Jan 21 2020 8:12PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11228 - Karma: 76,274
FlavacrazeHowdy!
Just started waxing my own gear and after I waxed them today the base looks black(er) on both tails in this weird pattern.
What does this mean? Did I make a mistake or is this normal. Also, I have never waxed this particular set of skis and they are brand new... probably just have just left the factory wax but I've gotten pretty good at waxing my snowboards so I figured I'd be good to go waxing these skis. Thanks for any comments or help! Attaching a photo (click on it so it expands... its too little to see what i'm talking about) 😄

**This thread was edited on Jan 17th 2020 at 6:00:18pm

So Flava, what is the verdict with the skis?
Jan 25 2020 11:12PM
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Flavacraze
Posts: 3 - Karma: 29
Yo!
One of em completely went away after using em... the other one is still dark there but lightened up a bit.
I took them to a local shop and the said it didn’t look like base burn. So really, verdict is still out. After rewaxin em and cleaning em really good (not in that order) the stains or whatever they are are still there. But again, one lightened up and the other side is completely normalized now.

Really strange, the whole thing but I think the skis are fine and I didn’t do any damage! So yayyyy.
Thanks for checking back in! What a great community :) and thanks everyone for suggestions and help!
Jan 26 2020 1:42AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11228 - Karma: 76,274
FlavacrazeYo!
One of em completely went away after using em... the other one is still dark there but lightened up a bit.
I took them to a local shop and the said it didn’t look like base burn. So really, verdict is still out. After rewaxin em and cleaning em really good (not in that order) the stains or whatever they are are still there. But again, one lightened up and the other side is completely normalized now.

Really strange, the whole thing but I think the skis are fine and I didn’t do any damage! So yayyyy.
Thanks for checking back in! What a great community :) and thanks everyone for suggestions and help!

Awesome!
I figured either excess wax, or just some strange staining. That's why I said base cleaner real good.
As long as they are running, no worries, just have fun!
After waxing scrape and brush like crazy!
Jan 26 2020 3:06PM
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