by Mr.
Klister
Cleaning and Storing Skis
Follow these four easy steps and take proper care of
your skis over the summer.
1. Clean the Ski Bases
Use a plastic scraper to remove as much of the old wax
as possible. Don't use a metal scraper because it can
dig into the base and damage it. After you have gotten
most of the old wax off, use one of the following methods
to deep clean the ski bases.
Method A. Use citrus solvent (available at most ski shops;
don't use gas or paint thinner, they can damage the base).
Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear latex gloves. Clean
sidewalls and topsheet as well as ski bases. Fiberlene
cloth (also available at ski shops) is good for this purpose
because it leaves no lint.
Method B. Use hot, soft wax (e.g. a red glider) to draw
the dirt out of the ski base. "Crayon" the wax
on (to avoid dripping) and heat it to melting with an
iron. Use a warm, not hot, setting on the iron, e.g.,
"wool". Keep the iron moving. Make sure that
there is a coating of liquid wax on the surface of the
ski after the iron passes over it. As the wax penetrates
the ski base it will float the dirt to the top. While
the wax is cooling but still warm, scrape the wax off
and the dirt with it. This technique will result in the
fastest skis because you never let the base dry out. Scrape
the ski in thirds with a plastic scraper. Work from the
tip to the tail. Maintain a firm, even pressure on the
ski base with the scraper.
2. Conduct Safety Check
Check the binding screws for tightness. Lubricate the
binding (WD-40). Repair gouges to topsheet and sidewalls
with epoxy. Protect topsheet and sidewalls with a paste
wax. Rub glide wax onto the sides of a skating ski for
extra zip.
3. Check Ski Base Flatness
Use a metal scraper with a good sharp, square edge and
scrape the base flat. Divide the ski into thirds and work
in only one section at a time; overlap work areas when
scraping to blend them. Hold the scraper so that fingers
guide the scraper along the side of the ski and thumbs
push it evenly. Angle the scraper at 45 degrees, with
the top of the scraper tipped towards the base of the
ski. Use long, even stokes. Use the edge of the scraper
to check for base flatness (you shouldn't be able to see
light between it and the ski base). Work from the tip
to the tail.
4. Apply Storage Wax
Once skis are cleaned they are susceptible to getting
dirty again and with the bases exposed this dirt can get
ground into the bottom of the ski. To protect the ski
bases, iron in a general purpose glide wax, like purple
or universal glider, over the entire base of the ski.
Then, when ski season arrives, just scrape the glide wax
down to a thin layer in the glide zones, scrape off the
protective wax in the grip wax zone, apply the appropriate
grip wax, and go have fun.
