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March, 2025

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Factory wax

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Prof.Pretzel
Posts: 451 - Karma: 796
How good are factory waxes because every time i've gotten a new pair of skis mounted thew threw in a free wax too. So do I really need to get my skis waxed?
11 years ago
5 0
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Newschoolers55
Posts: 851 - Karma: 4,795
Its good to wax them before skiing cuz Factory wax is weak.
And this should be on gear talk
11 years ago
2 0
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i think factory wax is good for storage but not ideal for actual riding, so yeah, waxing a new pair of skis is not pointless
11 years ago
1 0
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,886
If they're going to do it for free, might as well take it. It'll be better than factory wax and the more you wax your skis the more durable the bases will be and the longer the wax will last.
11 years ago
1 0
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25444 - Karma: 13,855
Depends on the factory that's waxed the ski. Some it's a quick bush coat, others it's a proper wax, hot box and scrape.
11 years ago
1 0
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synops*
Posts: 17 - Karma: 21
anyone have experience with armada skis out of the box? i have some ar7's and im wondering if i should wax them before skiing on them.
11 years ago
1 0
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galardogod
Posts: 1716 - Karma: 5,336
synops*anyone have experience with armada skis out of the box? i have some ar7's and im wondering if i should wax them before skiing on them.


Yess i believe those are notouriously thin on the base
11 years ago
0 1
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,366
Depends on the manufacturer. The second to last pair of skis I got had almost no wax. Look at the bases and see if they look dry. If so, get them waxed. If not, wait until they need it.
11 years ago
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synops*
Posts: 17 - Karma: 21
yeah... running my hand along the base they feel quite dry. what about edges? im just getting into the park so i would be 50/50 all mountain/park. should i detune any edges?
11 years ago
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Poikenz
Posts: 1516 - Karma: 4,120
synops*yeah... running my hand along the base they feel quite dry. what about edges? im just getting into the park so i would be 50/50 all mountain/park. should i detune any edges?


I don't think you can really feel a dry base can you? It's not like they will feel "wet" or moist or something. I usually just look for micro cuts and discolouration in the base (easy to do if it is a black based ski). Maybe I'm wrong though.
11 years ago
1 0
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swiggy
Posts: 104 - Karma: 310
I always wax new skis before I use them, most of the time when you get a new pair of skis the brand will say if they're "Shred Ready"
11 years ago
0 0
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synops*
Posts: 17 - Karma: 21
yeah I may as well get them waxed, it cant hurt and will probably keep the bases in better condition.
11 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9986 - Karma: 75,280
Sorry, bump.

Anyone have any idea what wax Armada puts on their bases? Doesn't matter to me, but just curious. I wax new skis anyway just because then I'll know they have the wax I want and are done properly. Got a new pair of ARVs and was doing a quick brush over the base before apply base prep and noticed a thin very powdery grayish dust coming off/out (their brush job must be weak) of the base. Yeah my brush was clean first
7 years ago
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HuckNorris44
Posts: 1025 - Karma: 2,394
Best way to prep a new ski is this:
Use a soft, warm weather wax. Spread a thick good layer on the ski.
Scrape the wax immediately after applying it, this will remove the shitty factory wax, for the most part.
Doing this will also help to "open up the base" to better accept the new wax.
Generously apply the wax you are intending to use and let it sit overnight before scraping it.

There's probably a million other ways people do it, but this is what the guy at saucer wax taught me a couple years ago and have had success with this method.
7 years ago
0 0
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