Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

How do I know if my skis need wax or needs to be tuned

profile picture
Anguz_li
Posts: 285 - Karma: 516
Ski season is here yay. I was wondering how to tell whether my skis need wax or needs to be tuned up. Can I wax my skis at home, and if so what will I need and can I tune up my skis at home or would I have to bring it to a ski shop. And how would I know if my skis need to be tuned.

Thanks fellow skiers! :D
Nov 29 2015 11:32PM
18 3
profile picture
qyleberry
Posts: 788 - Karma: 2,211
Tuning I can't tell you much about because I've never had it done.

I do know if you are skiing the park a lot don't go get your skis tuned.

Someone call me out if that is incorrect^

Waxing, I'd say every 5 days on snow. The more days you add the worse it is for your bases. You could wax your skis everyday, its just personal preference. Definitely wax your skis when your bases are starting to turn white.

waxing tools-

- iron
- plastic scraper
- bronze brush
- nylon brush
-wax(I use swix ch 6-8) depends on temp
-file for sharpening your plastic scraper
-towel(wipe down ski before and after)
Nov 29 2015 11:44PM
1 1
profile picture
qyleberry
Posts: 788 - Karma: 2,211
Anguz_liSki season is here yay. I was wondering how to tell whether my skis need wax or needs to be tuned up. Can I wax my skis at home, and if so what will I need and can I tune up my skis at home or would I have to bring it to a ski shop. And how would I know if my skis need to be tuned.

Thanks fellow skiers! :D


sorry forgot to quote
Nov 29 2015 11:44PM
0 0
profile picture
gnarballsianm
Posts: 621 - Karma: 703
Odds are good your skis need to have a good wax and a possible tune unless they are brand new. Giving the skis a tune is always a good way to get in touch with your babies on another level.

If there is visible base damage even in the slightest it is worth it to pull out the iron and wax and possibly some ptex to fill in any holes or scratches in your bases.

If your edges are dull or have visible wear, you may want to grab the files and get down to business. I like to do a finger nail test where i scratch my nail on the edge and see if it easily peels away some of the nail. If it does you are probably all good (i do the same when sharpenig knives).

But if you really don't give a shit, just throw some rub on wax on and do a little cork board or nothing at all and hit the hill.

If you don't have the tools to complete these projects or don't understand, you can always take them to your local shop, have them asses the skis and do the tune for you.
Nov 30 2015 12:02AM
1 0
profile picture
CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
I usually wax once a week. This isnt neccessary but it gives me time to chill. Plus the wax smell covers up the natty dread smoke so my mama dont kno
Nov 30 2015 2:12AM
4 0
profile picture
FastSpeed
Posts: 646 - Karma: 644
Sharp skis will scrape off some of your fingernail if you drag your nail across the edge. Like sideways not up and down.

You need a wax if the bottom of your skis are turning white or feel dry.

I work at a ski shop so I get free tunes and such so I get a wax and sharpen every time before I go out.
Nov 30 2015 8:08AM
0 0
profile picture
The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,992
With my experience last season once your bases start turning white they will stop holding wax. If this happens to you, just go into the local shop and get a stone grind. I had awful looking bases and i got them grinded and filled & waxed and sharpened for like $45 at my local shop. They have a fancy machine that does the whole process. If you are sliding rails then you dont really need to sharpend your edges unless you detune underfoot. There are tons of youtube videos on this stuff (Not for park riders but for the basic rider.) Goodluck!!!
Nov 30 2015 9:53AM
1 0
profile picture
The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,992
Sorry for my improper grammar and spelling I'm on my phone.
Nov 30 2015 9:54AM
0 0
profile picture
CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
cjt121099Sorry for my improper grammar and spelling I'm on my phone.


Not cool man. Bfish will beat u up
Nov 30 2015 11:16AM
2 0
profile picture
The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,992
CHORIZONot cool man. Bfish will beat u up


Bfish is chill
Nov 30 2015 12:14PM
0 0
profile picture
arnie_grape
Posts: 3451 - Karma: 11,688
if you've used your skis since you waxed them last, they could use a wax. sharpening is dependent on where/what you're skiing but I wouldn't sharpen your underfoots if you hit rails often
Nov 30 2015 12:48PM
0 0
profile picture
Elg
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 3,880
If you have to ask, they probably need wax
Nov 30 2015 2:33PM
2 0
profile picture
_salty_
Posts: 672 - Karma: 1,034
I heard if you use wizard wax you will never need to wax your skis again!
Nov 30 2015 5:01PM
1 2
profile picture
fries
Posts: 2978 - Karma: 7,520
If your bases are drying out or your skis are really slow you should get them waxed. You could do it by yourself but if you dont know how then just go to a ski shop
Nov 30 2015 6:49PM
0 0
profile picture
.Roockley.
Posts: 3866 - Karma: 4,090
Anguz_liSki season is here yay. I was wondering how to tell whether my skis need wax or needs to be tuned up. Can I wax my skis at home, and if so what will I need and can I tune up my skis at home or would I have to bring it to a ski shop. And how would I know if my skis need to be tuned.

Thanks fellow skiers! :D


if your bases are turning white then it's time for a wax. i'd do it anyway if you haven't used them since last season, just because why not

if you can run your finger along your edges and it doesnt feel smooth take a gummy stone to it to remove the burrrrs
Nov 30 2015 7:04PM
0 0
profile picture
Deepskier
Posts: 3267 - Karma: 4,832
I wax about once a week as long as bases are hydrated (not dry white/pale) yu are ok I usually like to wax my skis after the last day or mid-summer so they can soak up some wax into the bases for a while but waxy edges will rust so watch out.
Nov 30 2015 10:27PM
0 0
profile picture
sneek
Posts: 51 - Karma: 72
qyleberryTuning I can't tell you much about because I've never had it done.

I do know if you are skiing the park a lot don't go get your skis tuned.

Someone call me out if that is incorrect^

Waxing, I'd say every 5 days on snow. The more days you add the worse it is for your bases. You could wax your skis everyday, its just personal preference. Definitely wax your skis when your bases are starting to turn white.

waxing tools-

- iron
- plastic scraper
- bronze brush
- nylon brush
-wax(I use swix ch 6-8) depends on temp
-file for sharpening your plastic scraper
-towel(wipe down ski before and after)


I mean tuning doesn't have nearly as much benefit if you're gonna beat the fuck out of your skis for fun but it does have its benefits. Like you can get a stone grind which flattens the base and restructures it which would help with speed in some situations, but all in all probably don't tune em if you ski park haha
Dec 1 2015 11:40AM
0 0
profile picture
qyleberry
Posts: 788 - Karma: 2,211
sneekI mean tuning doesn't have nearly as much benefit if you're gonna beat the fuck out of your skis for fun but it does have its benefits. Like you can get a stone grind which flattens the base and restructures it which would help with speed in some situations, but all in all probably don't tune em if you ski park haha


Thats what I thought, thanks for the reassurance
Dec 1 2015 2:41PM
0 0
profile picture
ABskier
Posts: 136 - Karma: 56
tuning is for dorks.
Dec 1 2015 3:00PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)