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Official Ski/Binding Maintenance Thread

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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
As all of us know, it is very important to know how to use/maintain your ski equipment, so my hope for this thread is to have everyone post videos or picture tutorials on how to do various forms of ski maintenance, whether it's adjusting bindings, waxing skis, dulling edges, anything, but just so you know where to look when you have basic questions about this sort of thing

I'll put 2 videos in the OP:

How to Take Apart/Bend FKS
by me

How to Wax Your Skis
by mrstskier

Next up just a few tips:

When you get home from skiing you should do 3 things:
1. take your skis inside and leave them there
2. wipe your bases and edges with a cloth or rag
3. pull your skis apart and lean them against a wall with the bases sticking up

Now it's your turn, post tips, stories, tutorials, anything relating to ski maintenance because it can greatly increase the life and performance of your gear


**DISCLAIMER**
A LOT OF THESE THINGS REQUIRE BASIC SHOP SKILL, PROPER TOOLS, AND EXPERIENCE. DO EVERYTHING AT YOUR OWN RISK AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO EXECUTE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PROCESSES. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU RISK THE LIFE OF YOUR GEAR AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING

This goes for advice giving as well, make sure you possess knowledge of the subject you're providing advice for because it can jeopardize people's safety if you give them false tips. So either make sure you know what you're saying or put in your post that you're just kinda guessing
Apr 21 2009 10:27PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
I know several shop techs that would argue your first point. new bindings into old holes is fine as long as the screws come out without damaging the core. But to the OP, I've heard from every tech that I have talked to that 4 mounts is fine as long as every hole is at least 1/8th of an inch away from another. Also, DO NOT DRIP P-TEX INTO THE SCREW HOLES. It makes a terrible seal and usually fails at keeping water out of the core. Get some plastic plugs or plug the holes using a golf tee and wood glue. It helps the structure of the core as well as keeping water out better.
Jun 19 2010 10:56PM
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omnomnom
Posts: 1280 - Karma: 73
thanks to both you guys. definitely helped.
Jun 21 2010 1:23PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
This sounds minor and pedantic but a sharp and quality scraper will make your waxing life much easier.

after slumming it with some dakine scraper not knowing any different when i switch to a nice new swix one it was a dream. so yea keep 'em sharp and get a good one to start with.
Jul 10 2010 1:54PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
http://www.toko.ch/en/productDetail/411000430_v_9999/Scraper+Sharpener.html

i have 3 of these, everyone should buy one, so worth it, use it every time before you scrape and your scraper is super sharp and pulls up all the wax with little force
Jul 10 2010 4:32PM
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bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
Hmm could I do this, but instead of using Base prep wax, just use normal waxes? And if I were to just use normal waxes, how should I go about it? 2 applications of each different coloured wax? And should I go from cold to warm wax, or cold to warm? Finally, should I even use normal wax, or is base prep wax really that much better?

Oh and one more thing... A local bootfitter told me I should pull my liner out of my boot everytime I'm done skiing to let them dry. Is that really a good idea?


Thanks!
Jul 13 2010 2:18AM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38

fuck waxing bases i got team managers now!!

but yea i'd like to know about base prep since i just got a new pair of planks.

about the boots i take my liners out frequently, since i have translucent shells i can see the condensation on the inside of my boot, and trust me it can mount up. it is a hassle but so is putting your feet into damp boots. obviously if you have the luxury of having a boot drier i don't see the need to do this unless you're scared of deforming you heat moulded liners. oh and remember to buckle your boots up when not using them.

Jul 13 2010 4:45AM
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bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
Hmm alright thanks. So I guess I should just take my liners out, hang 'em somewhere, and keep my shell buckled up?
Jul 13 2010 1:48PM
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4491 - Karma: 6,796
everyone here has like 10,000 posts? WASSUP WITH THAT?
Jul 14 2010 11:36PM
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B-runge
Posts: 16558 - Karma: 361
we are all wizards.
Jul 15 2010 2:24AM
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Luket
Posts: 3 - Karma: 10
When you say have the bases sticking out, are you meaning the bindings are facing towards the wall they are standing against?
Jul 20 2010 12:10AM
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I_am-jesus
Posts: 13 - Karma: 10
I got one too there magical
Aug 21 2010 11:56AM
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p-oskier
Posts: 1407 - Karma: 58
So when is that video coming out?
Aug 28 2010 1:17PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
haha ill do it when I get my viciks in a month
Aug 28 2010 6:36PM
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bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
im gonna quote you on that so I remember this... A video on prepping new skis would definitely be helpful haha.
Sep 6 2010 2:04AM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
Hey guys, another wax question. I live in Minnesota as you may already know and I got new Line Afterbangs that are pre-waxed.

I have an iron and pink wax but I'm currently out of the white wax. Now I was told to first use the pink first, scrape it, off the whole nine yards, and then do the same with the white. Is this correct? Help will be appreciated!

And sorry if this has been discussed in this thread, way too much to read for just one question.
Sep 9 2010 4:51PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
What does the packaging say (wax brand and number)?
Sep 9 2010 4:53PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
It's Swix Base Prep formula. The number is BP88
Sep 9 2010 4:56PM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
you can start with the base prep, wax and scrape a few times
Sep 9 2010 6:24PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
So does this mean I use the base prep, scrape it off, use white wax, scrape it off?
Sep 10 2010 12:28AM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
it means use base prep, scrape it, use base prep, scrape it, use base prep, scrape it, and then for good measure use base prep and scrape it again. then use the white stuff, except now you let it harden and then you scrape it and brush it
Sep 10 2010 12:32AM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
Haha sweet. Thanks a lot!
Sep 10 2010 12:33AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
base prep doesnt do shit its a waste of money
Sep 12 2010 11:42AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
So i should just wax with any leftover wax?
Sep 12 2010 11:56AM
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omIV
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 306
I would tend to disagree with you. you have to use something to make your bases receptor to wax, and base prep is cheap and well formulated for the purpose. It's also a good travel wax, although I suspect most NSers aren't going to take it that far
Sep 12 2010 12:17PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
in my 10 years of waxing I have never once needed base prep, and have been told by countless race coaches that it is pointless. the base isnt going to not take the wax if it is ground properly(which every name brand ski should be), and like ive said before in this thread, start with a warm weather wax as your base on new skis and you will be set
Sep 12 2010 4:13PM
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MN_Nice
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 56
As in the white wax?
Sep 12 2010 11:55PM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
yellow.
Sep 13 2010 2:15AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
white wax and or universal wax is shitty and a waste of money, buy a legit temp specific wax, it will work much better
Sep 13 2010 5:31PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
universal wax is fine if you aren't racing. i use toko uni wax for all of my skis except my race skis. racing you really need color specific wax
Sep 14 2010 9:08PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Has anyone ever burnt there bases before from waxing? This is always a huge paranoia for me when I am waxing. I'm guessing the wax would start to smoke like crazy before the base burns right?
Sep 26 2010 8:29PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -7
Yeah if the iron is too hot, and youre too slow, its super easy to scorch em
Sep 30 2010 8:32PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

Thanks to everybody that helped out and gave input in the thread.  Just read the whole thing and it taught me a lot.

Quick question though, I want to start waxing my skis much more often, and is there any sort of kit that I can get that will have everything I need inside of it to start off or do I have to buy a bunch of different things separately?  I'm getting my Jmos soon and I want to wax it myself several times before the season rather than the one time that I usually do.

Oct 4 2010 8:28PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
http://www.backcountry.com/swix-alpine-glide-wax-kit
Oct 5 2010 1:02AM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

That doesn't seem like a whole lot, would there be anything else I would need?

Oct 5 2010 3:09PM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
I would get a blue brush and a toko scraper sharpener too.
Oct 5 2010 5:39PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
vices and thats all you really need, from there you can start to expand your gear, like I just got the new raceworks in today, and there is alot of new gear coming out this season that will be very useful, but only to those of us that pride our selfs on our waxing
Oct 5 2010 7:40PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
Alright, thanks for the help man.
Oct 6 2010 2:53PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
So I was scraping the wax of my new skis today, and on one ski there was base hairies. These are brand new skis, never been on snow. Anyone know what caused this? Will a stone grind fix it?
Oct 6 2010 6:04PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
Didn't see this comment before.  Can't remember if this was answered in the thread already, but what is the point in having a blue brush and a white brush?  Also, I saw a bronze brush on Backcountry also, what's the difference between that and the blue and white brushes?  It said it was an all-round brush but I don't think it was made with nylon like the other ones.
Oct 9 2010 12:31PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
blue nylon is a stiffer brush, i use it much more then any of my whites, as the white is more of a finishing touch brush. a bronze brush is used mostly when cleaning/preping new skis. It gets old wax and dirt out of the base fantastically.
Oct 9 2010 4:49PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
That helps a lot, thanks.
Oct 9 2010 4:51PM
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natty.
Posts: 857 - Karma: 34
should i buy cold/warm temp wax or just all temperature wax? does it really make that much of a difference?
Oct 9 2010 11:15PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
cold and warm, yes it does
Oct 9 2010 11:20PM
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natty.
Posts: 857 - Karma: 34
thank you.
swix?
Oct 9 2010 11:22PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
swix waxes and brushes, toko irons, beast/svst tuning tools

the only brands worth buying^
Oct 10 2010 12:54AM
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natty.
Posts: 857 - Karma: 34
StartFragment

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302882912&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442631400

http://www.rei.com/product/792993?preferredSku=7929930019&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-7929930019&mr:trackingCode=2F881068-A7A3-DE11-93DB-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

http://www.dakine.com/ski/accessories/tuning/adjustable-tuning-iron/

which of these should i get? im a beginner (obviously) when it comes to waxing so which would work best for me?

EndFragment
Oct 10 2010 1:19PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
toko ftw
Oct 10 2010 3:36PM
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natty.
Posts: 857 - Karma: 34
So i have a list here of all the things i need for waxing. are these all good choices? I already have bench and vises. heres my list so far:
-toko iron
-swix CH waxes (all colors except for green)
-swix nylon and horsehair brushes
-swix plastic and metal scraper
-dakine pocket stone
am i missing anything?

and where do i get the little cloth pads that i wipe my base down with after i detune my edges? what is that called?



Oct 10 2010 6:25PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
You might want to get a cork.
Oct 11 2010 7:57PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
a cork is only used for rub in waxes like f4
Oct 11 2010 8:35PM
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