Ski Tuning/Servicing Essentials?

SKI-J

SKI-J

Member
Normally do all my own base repairs and waxing etc but this season I don't have the luxury of an in house workshop where I'm working so looking to buy a tuning kit so I don't have to spend €15 every time I want my skis waxing....

Now I definitely want an Iron, wax and p-tex. With that I'd normally use a file, stanley knife, metal scraper, wire brush and a green washing up cloth, you know the scourer kinda things but not the metal ones?

But what do you guys use? Any tips? What are all the different materials of brush for? All advice appreciated!
 
Softer brushes are for dry snow, if i remember correctly. And the metal ones are for wet snow. I think, someone correct me if i'm totally off here.
 
I always start my brushing with a copper&nylon combo brush, then get progressively softer, ending with a fine horsehair to polish it up all nice. Have a base and sidewall edge guides are great for getting a precise bevel setup. Diamond stones to maintain and a gummy to detun/debur.
 
topic:SKI-J said:
Now I definitely want an Iron, wax and p-tex. With that I'd normally use a file, stanley knife, metal scraper, wire brush and a green washing up cloth, you know the scourer kinda things but not the metal ones?
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I pretty much use the same. Instead, of a metal scraper I use plastic, as it has a lower chance of damaging the base.

What do you use the stanley knife for?

And I wouldn't really bother getting too many brushes unless you're racing or something. I normally use borrow my friends brush.
 
I slice the excess p-tex off with the knife then file it smooth, am i meant to file it off completely?
 
I've been waxing my own skis in my garage since i was 12 with minimal supplies. I use a shitty iron i got from a thrift shop and and some swiss CH6. other than that a scraper and p-tex is all i really use. I also have some different finishing brushes. You really dont need a lot to keep your bases in shape tbh. just remember, if it looks stupid but it works, it aint stupid.
 
I got a lot of my tuning stuff off amazon for pretty good prices. Hard brushes like the copper and metal help get rid of excess wax before you apply a new coat. If you want to save money though you could probably just get the nylon and horsehair brushes. I've found that my nylon brush does a pretty good job of taking old wax off and giving a smooth to finish after I have used my plastic scraper.

I would get a plastic scraper as mentioned, they work great, are cheap, and I would be hesitant about running metal over my bases and edges.
 
you really shouldnt tune your skis, let water get into the core then snap those babies like a man
 
Wax, cheap iron (i think demon makes a wax iron that is less than $30), ptex, razor blade for scraping ptex off (it doesnt hurt if u pull it but pushing will). Plastic scraper and file (for edges and sharpening scraper) and a brass/nylon combo brush. I use rubber bands for the bindings and i use a big brush just to clean up. I got all of this for less than $80 i think. I will be using it alteast 10 times this season so it will pay out easily for me.
 
Okay, here we go.

First, you need to clean you bases. For this, you need the WIRE BRUSH, some form of CITRUS SOLVENT (some people say that this dries the bases, but this is the point of the wax you are doing immediately after), and a SCOURER, as you said. You just want to clean the base as much as you can. I often hot wax

For P-tex, obviously the P-TEX and LIGHTER to melt it, but then a METAL SCRAPER to remove it gradually. Please don't bring out a razor on your base.I don't know how good you are at using a razor, but i wouldn't do it myself. This scraper should allow you to get flush with the base. Please, again, don't use a file to take off the p-tex. The only time (I feel) that a file should be used on a base is when you are getting a race structure.

Waxing. Obviously you need an IRON and WAX. The type of wax is dependant on your conditions, and there are guides you can use. For wax, use a PLASTIC SCRAPER, not metal. It is too harsh, and takes it back into the base. Then brush. Dependant,again, on your snow conditions, use a BRASS or HAIR BRUSH. Always start with the metal. If your snow is wet, leave it at the metal brush. If the snow is drier,through, move onto the hair brush, as this will create a finer structure and your skis will go better.

This is a pretty basic guide. Time tuning my own race skis has taught me your kit is never big enough. I used to have 8 brushes at a time
 
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