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January, 2025

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How to tell when skis need wax?

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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I never know the answer to when my skis truly need wax, I usually just give 'em a wax every 5 weeks or so. What are some methods to check if my skis need wax?
Jan 10 2011 12:15PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37817 - Karma: 125,773
If your bases look or feel dry. Or if you notice that getting speed for something is a little difficult.
Jan 10 2011 12:16PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
That's what I've been noticing, I can't seem to get very good speed. My friend told me to pour water on them and if it beads there's still enough wax on them.
Jan 10 2011 12:20PM
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Session
Posts: 5404 - Karma: 22,511
Pro tip: You need to wax way more than every 5 weeks.
Jan 10 2011 12:30PM
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Out2Pasture
Posts: 98 - Karma: 16

I usually wax after every couple days of skiing or so.  It's a good way to relax the night before skiing.  Nothing like scrapping wax and having a couple beers.

Jan 10 2011 12:33PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I only get to ski about 4 times a week avg., but how often should I wax?
Jan 10 2011 12:35PM
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Session
Posts: 5404 - Karma: 22,511
If you are skiing 4 days a week you should be waxing at least once a week dude.
Jan 10 2011 12:54PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Huh, ok.

Then I really need a wax!
Jan 10 2011 12:57PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -8
I lick my bases. I go by the taste.
Jan 10 2011 1:21PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6724 - Karma: 11,551
this and you need to wax your skis at least once a week if you ski 4 times a week. you can never over do it. but if your bases are white and/or kinda furry, you need a base grind first because it means your base is dried out and won't absorb the wax.
Jan 10 2011 2:48PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641

I usually run my fingernails from side to side across the base.
If I feel, very distinctively, the small pores in the base, it's time for a wax. A freshly waxed base you wouldn't be able to feel the pores very well only because they have absorbed wax.

I try to wax every time I shred, but if I'm lazy I'll wax like every 2-3 times.

Jan 10 2011 3:29PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6724 - Karma: 11,551
you should still be able to see and feel the pattern in the base... if you cover that up you will be really slow. You want your wax in the base, not on it.
Jan 10 2011 3:32PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641

Good to know!
I guess my method has been somewhat flawed. Just try to wax every 2-3 times you ski max :)

+k to you sir.

Jan 10 2011 3:34PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6724 - Karma: 11,551
The pattern is what prevents your ski from literally sticking to the snow- as you glide over snow, you melt it, and the pattern channels the water and breaks up the resulting surface tension that was created. Without pattern, it would be like putting together 2 plates of glass with water in between- super stuck together. This is why you want to invest in a couple of nice brushes- one to get the wax out of the structure and then another to polish. The shinier your bases look, the faster you will be.
Jan 10 2011 3:48PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
So I hear. I typically just use a brilla pad.
Time to invest in a brush with this new found knowledge? I think so.
Jan 10 2011 3:59PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37817 - Karma: 125,773
Shit. Looks like I should throw on a coat of wax this week. I've skied on my doubletimes for almost 10 weeks now and I am pretty sure the factory coat they put on them is desolate.
Jan 10 2011 4:03PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I'll get out my iron and wax today I guess..

And how does licking the bases help? What taste am I looking for?
Jan 10 2011 4:17PM
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A.Eberhard
Posts: 4426 - Karma: 415
Wow I haven't waxed me ski's in two years... Guess I should get on this.
Jan 10 2011 4:26PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
If you can taste the wax really well then they are good but if you cannot then they need to be waxed.
Jan 10 2011 4:43PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Well I've never tasted wax before, but I didn't taste a thing so I'm guessing there's nothing on he bases.
Jan 10 2011 6:38PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -8
It also depends on the base material. A ski with a high end sintered base, will actually be slower, without wax, than a cheap extruded base.

Jan 10 2011 7:34PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I have 2009 Line Anthems, I don't know if the base is sintered...
Jan 10 2011 7:39PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -8
Probably extruded.
Jan 10 2011 7:40PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
this much of NS doesn't wax their skis?
wtf
Jan 10 2011 7:46PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
well it's running slow despite what you say about extruded bases. They're getting a wax tomorrow.
Jan 10 2011 7:48PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -8
Basically there is a bigger difference between sintered wax/nowax, than there is with an extruded base with or without wax.
Jan 10 2011 7:51PM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
I know when I need a wax because tings be gettin' hairy.
Jan 10 2011 8:03PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -8
That means its too late, and you need a grind now.
Jan 10 2011 8:12PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
lol?
Jan 10 2011 8:14PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
Ya you are good for a wax then.
Jan 10 2011 9:48PM
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MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -8
Did you really just go lick the bases on your skis?
Jan 10 2011 11:20PM
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a2freeski
Posts: 73 - Karma: 10
hahahahaahhahhahahahahhahahaah

watta ya talkin bout? i lick my skis all the time.......lol.
Jan 10 2011 11:51PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Yes, yes I did.
Jan 11 2011 9:09AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
i just licked all my skis, damn you !!


Jan 11 2011 9:14AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Once you start waxing your skis you'll start to notice what bases look like when they are waxed/need to be waxed. Take a look at a ski after you wax it and compare it to the other ski you haven't waxed. You can see a difference in the threads of the base.
Jan 11 2011 9:25AM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15953 - Karma: 9,497
ive been licking my skis way before seeing this thread.
Jan 11 2011 9:57AM
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