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abjectwoe
May, 2025

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Need help with the rail I just finished

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Da_CONK
Posts: 528 - Karma: 93
Hey guys I just finished my 1st rail to use with my summer setup and I need some help.
(I realize that this is the wrong forum and that it should go in Build-a-Jib and I apologize for that, I'm having some friends over to session it in 2 days and my Mom want's to make sure the rail isn't "dangerous" for when they use it so I need help fast)

Ok so the problem is that when I hit the rail it was too slippery. Its a 20' PVC double barrel rail and when I got to around 8' my skis literally flew out from under me and I landed on one of the wooden braces that help support it. My Dad took a video and my front ski actually went above my head while I was falling.
This was the 1st time I hit the rail and I just had waxed it, also my edges are not sharp at all so that isn't the issue.
Speed isn't the issue either, if anything I have to much which isn't really a problem.

Pictures:
Rail:
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Click for larger image

Setup:
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Click for larger image

So my question to all you is how do you make a rail not so slippery and make it stick more?
(Again I'm sorry for posting this in NSG but I didn't think I would get help in time for when my friends are supposed to come over and session if I put it in Build-A-Jib)
15 years ago
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,348
i have never heard of a rail being too slippery. but my advice would be to take some sandpaper and sand off the glossy finish on the pvc.
15 years ago
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.Asain-Skiier
Posts: 3708 - Karma: 977
I have never tried this but maybe add a little bit of spray paint. Don't try this until someone else has approved.
15 years ago
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ski2sky.
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 897
you dont really need to wax it... just pour some water on it and that should be enough.

(thats what i do with mine)

your setup looks sick btw.
15 years ago
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
umm hmm... No hate intended, but learn how to slide a rail properly. Rails can't be too slippery...
15 years ago
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senorpuppy
Posts: 264 - Karma: 10
Sick setup man
15 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31079 - Karma: 29,671
pvc is slippery, its better to learn to slide and lean into it a little bit than slow it down, it helps for any rail you will encounter
15 years ago
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eastcoastplanker
Posts: 964 - Karma: 70
post vid.........for lolz and help
15 years ago
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Balzberg
Posts: 538 - Karma: 470
pvc rails feel a bit different than normal metal ones when you hit them, they are more slippery but its easy to get used to
15 years ago
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Pmoore
Posts: 1802 - Karma: 1,246
Dont wax it. And just put more weight on your front foot... like any other rail
15 years ago
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Spillway_East
Posts: 1127 - Karma: 378
dont lean back and dont wax pvc.
15 years ago
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jamodeo
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 663
wayyy too sticky if you use spray paint it will stop you on the rail i would sand it wax it and then use soapy water and just get used to hitting it its supposed to slide fast its pvc
15 years ago
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Gameboy
Posts: 2657 - Karma: 127
threads for when you'll post the video of you falling
15 years ago
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CodyTurner
Posts: 677 - Karma: 87
spray paint does not slow you down or speed you up......to be honest you don't even notice its there.^how the hell can you say it will almost make you stop?????? I would know i paint all my rails because i like color.but anyway just learn to slide the rail as it is and you will greatly improve your skiing when back on metal rails.
15 years ago
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Da_CONK
Posts: 528 - Karma: 93
No problem I'll be the first to say I need to get better at rails. Oh and to everyone wanting the video its on a cell phone and the quality is crap, I'll see what I can do though just for shits and giggles. Oh yea +k to everyone, thanks for the advice, might try just the sandpaper.
15 years ago
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Da_CONK
Posts: 528 - Karma: 93
Thanks man
15 years ago
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GratefulDead
Posts: 3554 - Karma: 84
Ummm lean forward....
15 years ago
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FoxRiderAR77
Posts: 231 - Karma: 12
My PVC Rail I built slid way faster than any metal rail, it just takes some getting used to. PVC doesnt need any wax or other lubrication since its plastic.
15 years ago
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Yeah for sure. After thinking back a bit. I did the same shit the first time I hit a pvc rail. you really dont need to do anything to it. Like some people are saying, just let yourself get used to it, and it will help a lot when you are hitting all rails. Just tell your friends to stay low and lean forward. Lots of them are gonna fall, but you will get used to it.
15 years ago
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315jibber94
Posts: 880 - Karma: -39
this. never wax pvc in the summer. just spray it with a hose...and ummm, learn how to slide a rail? hahaha no but for real, alot of summer rails take some time to get used too. just keep skiing it and eventually the wax will wear off...and how come you just made it now when summer is basically over?"
15 years ago
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Da_CONK
Posts: 528 - Karma: 93
Because I was busy up till now with trampoline practice and working to earn the money to make the setup. It was around $500 and I paid for it all so it took most of the summer to save that much and another $1300 for skis and other gear. Tomorrow its my bday and it sounds like my parents are going to take the tap for the setup, so happy about that.

Yea I guess I'll leave it how it is, I'm cutting the bottom supports down to 1' from 2 though because I came down hard on one with my rib, pretty big black and blue there right now hurt like hell.
15 years ago
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