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Cleaning Bases

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SkiBum31
Posts: 81 - Karma: 58
I'm new to waxing my own skis. I have all of the tools/materials needed, but I need something that I can clean my bases with. My skis get these black marks on them from rails and boxes. I have some scouring pads for washing dishes laying around the house, but I wasn't sure if they wood work well or cause any damage to the bases. If anyone could let me know if these would work well or give any other suggestions of cleaning methods that would be great!
Thanks
Dec 7 2013 4:21PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
Just do a quick coat of wax, this will clean the bases, then do a normal coat of wax. After scraping and brushing use the soft pad on the brush (if it has one) or just a clean cloth (microfiber is best).
Dec 7 2013 4:30PM
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DalyBenz
Posts: 44 - Karma: 118
Hot scraping does not necessarily remove dirt and old wax. There are a wide range of base cleaning products available. Either KUU bio citron or SVST agent orange are cleanling products. They dissolve old wax, without leaving residue on the ski base surface.
Dec 7 2013 4:46PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
I think you mean a hot scrape and then a full wax.
Dec 7 2013 4:47PM
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ThePierceStudios
Posts: 86 - Karma: 526
There is actually a base cleaning spray that is sold at most ski shops.
Dec 7 2013 5:04PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
Here you go, OP.

http://www.backcountry.com/explore/ski-tuning-in-8-easy-steps-8-videos
Dec 7 2013 5:23PM
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SkiBum31
Posts: 81 - Karma: 58
Thanks for all of the responses.
Dec 7 2013 5:42PM
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shitpoop
Posts: 667 - Karma: 1,479
I use goo gone for my base
Dec 7 2013 6:25PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11234 - Karma: 76,358
http://youtu.be/GjXSclmZyH0

Best Cleaner for sintered bases.
Dec 7 2013 7:02PM
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GrahamGould
Posts: 713 - Karma: 2,439
windex works fine
Dec 7 2013 7:45PM
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KneeDrop
Posts: 641 - Karma: 1,487

hot scrape for sure!!!!

while base cleaners work, you will scrub for a while if you have excess wax/grime...hot scrape is much much faster/easier, and only slightly less effective..

source: I manage a tune shop

Dec 7 2013 9:03PM
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*steeze_is_good
Posts: 2886 - Karma: 721
Either battery acid or hydrochloric acid, both work well and make your bases squeaky clean!
Dec 7 2013 9:04PM
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SkiBum31
Posts: 81 - Karma: 58
Thanks for the replies. Before I do a hot scrape should I brush the base with a fine steel brush? I was reading that this helps clean the base and take off old wax and grime.
Dec 7 2013 9:21PM
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KneeDrop
Posts: 641 - Karma: 1,487

steel sure, i prefer a stiff brass...

but neither is completely necessary if you hot scrape properly.

make sure your base gets hot enough to absorb wax, scrape as soon as wax hardens but dont let it cool down. do it twice if you're unsure. use the warmest temp wax you own

Dec 7 2013 9:33PM
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SkiBum31
Posts: 81 - Karma: 58
Thanks for the help!
Dec 7 2013 10:02PM
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RonJeremiah
Posts: 146 - Karma: 436
grab a towel and remove as much grime as you can before waxing the skis. After that steal your mom's iron and grab a block of ski wax. Melt the wax onto the skis with the iron just make sure it's not smoking the wax or else it's too hot. After that use a scraper and get as much of the excess wax off as you possibly can... When that's done grab the towel and buff the skis till they're nice and smooth. Simple as that and they should slide like a dream. Hope it helps.
Dec 7 2013 10:26PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
The Backcountry videos I posted say you should use the brass brush. It's better at getting the junk out than hot wax/scrape will
Dec 7 2013 11:16PM
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SkiBum31
Posts: 81 - Karma: 58
Cool, thanks again. Ill probably go out to home depot and buy a brass brush.
Dec 8 2013 10:05AM
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KneeDrop
Posts: 641 - Karma: 1,487

That's just not true. 

But I only tune ~50 skis a day, so maybe I just don't know

Dec 8 2013 10:20AM
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KneeDrop
Posts: 641 - Karma: 1,487

Don't get me wrong the combo of the two is by far the best...

Just sayin if you have to choose one, I'd choose hot scraping every time.

And not everybody owns brushes

Dec 8 2013 10:32AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6704 - Karma: 11,276
Definitely DO NOT use chemical base cleaners on your base. Waxing conditions your skis, why on Earth would you want to remove old wax from your base? Chemical base cleaners should be used for taking off kick wax from nordic skis, not for cleaning a glide zone.

OP, if you do a few hot scrapes before you start properly waxing you will have far greater success keeping your bases fast and strong. When you scrape off the still warm wax, you will see the dirt that is pulled out from your bases. Do this a few times and you will see less and less dirt each time. This will clean your bases and preserve the numerous waxes you have previously done.
Dec 8 2013 11:37AM
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SkiBum31
Posts: 81 - Karma: 58
Thanks for the reply! I've also heard that chemical base cleaners can dry out your bases as well. I'l try doing a few hot scrapes tonight and leave a layer of wax on since I'll be out for most of the season. Thanks for the replies everyone!
Dec 8 2013 11:54AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6704 - Karma: 11,276
They definitely do, which is why if you are actually taking the time to care for your bases you don't use it. Hot scraping all the way. If you ever wanted to make bunch of World Cup service technicians really nervous and potentially very aggressive, just walking into their waxing session with an open bottle of chemical base cleaner.
Dec 8 2013 12:07PM
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quizbot
Posts: 56 - Karma: 27
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zK2_M-NTZE0?list=PL3iULOH9egqckrK0Z60fLcnLuK0g92yPm" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Dec 8 2013 12:17PM
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KneeDrop
Posts: 641 - Karma: 1,487

this no...they make a very wide range of ski specific tuning brushes. it will cost more but it the right tool for the job...

but i tested my beliefs today and it really just isnt worth your time...scrubbed for 10 minutes and got nowhere...hot scrape took it right off.(some girls board with last seasons dirty. unscraped. ridden on chunks of wax and whatever other shit)

Dec 8 2013 9:22PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11234 - Karma: 76,358
This is not true for Swix Glide Wax Cleaner.  It does not remove hydocarbon wax.  It may soften it a bit, but that's it.  It works just as well as any hot scraping, with maybe even better results, in way less time and wax wasted.


Dec 12 2013 12:24AM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
We really need to relearn what goes in gear talk around here
Dec 12 2013 12:36AM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
They also damage the pores of your skis, hot scraping is really the best bet for maintaining your bases, while base cleaner really fucks up your pores by basically drying them closed
Dec 12 2013 12:38AM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
I hot wax, then windex, then wax again, then use scotch brite pad.

And I use paraffin wax ( a million times cheaper, every grocery store has it, and most all temp waxes you buy are mostly paraffin )


Dec 12 2013 11:04AM
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