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Scraping & Brushing Skis For Maximum Speed.

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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
Don't overlook good scraping & brushing when you need speed to do what you do!

Here's how I do it. Plus a bunch of other good advice and videos in this thread.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/798663/Scraping--amp--Brushing-Skis-Final-Preparation-Of-Ski

**This thread was edited on Oct 22nd 2018 at 1:21:02pm
Dec 5 2015 5:51PM
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Knewnews
Posts: 2093 - Karma: 477
or just take a run and let the snow do it
Dec 5 2015 5:59PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
Knewnewsor just take a run and let the snow do it


When you get with the program you will know the difference.

Try it.
Dec 5 2015 6:12PM
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Knewnews
Posts: 2093 - Karma: 477
meh i have 10 years racing history, unless you are competing at a high level in that arena you are just wasting your time, honestly.
Dec 6 2015 1:29PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
Knewnewsmeh i have 10 years racing history, unless you are competing at a high level in that arena you are just wasting your time, honestly.


I have over forty years skiing. At only 128 lbs. I say it makes all the difference in the world.

So did you ever win an event?
Dec 6 2015 6:22PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
The referenced post has been removed.


The Zoom Box holds up to 12 pairs of skis with brakes open. It can run up to 155 degrees no problem. I almost never go over 150F though. No better way to prepare a sintered base!
Dec 6 2015 6:25PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
The referenced post has been removed.


Oh yea, BTW the guy is yours truly! Catch me at Mt. Bachelor most any day at the Bachelor Parks.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/759433/Bachelor-Parks-Real-Laps-Raleigh-White-March-3rd-2015
Dec 6 2015 6:47PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
Hard to believe none of you seem to be interested in what is really important!

You want to be a bad ass, or suck wind?

The choice is yours!
Dec 6 2015 9:59PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
hahah this was good. "but for those guys who ride switch they might brush both ways" hahaha
Dec 6 2015 11:35PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
shin-banghahah this was good. "but for those guys who ride switch they might brush both ways" hahaha


Glad you got a laugh! Brush well!
Dec 7 2015 1:02AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
Hard to believe. Try to help folks out for free and they give you a down vote.
I guess they like sucking wind!
Dec 7 2015 1:07AM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
dude that was awesome. You're the man Jacques!
Dec 7 2015 1:46PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
pelle_munchdude that was awesome. You're the man Jacques!


Thanks. I do these videos to help folks out. No adds on my channel.

Hard to understand why the post has gotten down votes.

Like I said prior, I guess some folks want to suck wind instead of having acceleration at will.
I don't weigh but about 128lbs and I can usually pass the 170lbs guys in a partial tuck whenever I desire. My prepared skis will haul the frickin' mail guaranteed.

Sure base structure for conditions is huge too, but no matter what the structure is it needs to be clean as a whistle!

Take care Pelle!
Dec 7 2015 3:10PM
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,256
I absolutely love waxing, scraping, & brushing my own skis. Crank up some tunes & zone out for a little while. It feels great zooming by my buddies who haven't tuned their skis in two years and I think it's fun messing around with different techniques. Thanks for the vids! Envious of your little shop there.
Dec 7 2015 3:24PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
BenWhitI absolutely love waxing, scraping, & brushing my own skis. Crank up some tunes & zone out for a little while. It feels great zooming by my buddies who haven't tuned their skis in two years and I think it's fun messing around with different techniques. Thanks for the vids! Envious of your little shop there.


Just started using the brush. Wow really gets the last bit off the skis. Didn't think it made that big of a difference but it does. Worth the $20 bucks for the brush. Though I always leave a little bit of wax underfoot for rail protection, etc. Idk if it works or not but keeps me sane knowing I have a littl emore wax underfoot
Dec 7 2015 3:29PM
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,256
KravtZJust started using the brush. Wow really gets the last bit off the skis. Didn't think it made that big of a difference but it does. Worth the $20 bucks for the brush. Though I always leave a little bit of wax underfoot for rail protection, etc. Idk if it works or not but keeps me sane knowing I have a littl emore wax underfoot


it's all about the brush! making that base smooth and shiny
Dec 7 2015 3:33PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
BenWhitI absolutely love waxing, scraping, & brushing my own skis. Crank up some tunes & zone out for a little while. It feels great zooming by my buddies who haven't tuned their skis in two years and I think it's fun messing around with different techniques. Thanks for the vids! Envious of your little shop there.


You got it! I would have had some tunes on, but I don't like the copyright holders to take control of where the videos can be viewed or sometimes totally block the audio!

Thanks for the great comment. My shop is a one man room right outside my backdoor.
Best investment I ever made as a ski bum!
Dec 7 2015 4:39PM
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Knewnews
Posts: 2093 - Karma: 477
DominatorJacquesI have over forty years skiing. At only 128 lbs. I say it makes all the difference in the world.

So did you ever win an event?


not of any real consequence. not trying to be a douche or anything i just dont think freestyle guys outside of pipe or mougles have much interest in brushing.

just like in freestyle it is hard to compete with kids that have 20k+ dumped into their skiing every year.

within 2 runs with most snow and temperature combos your bases will be scoured clean by friction.

by all means keep doing your thing and teaching people, good contribution just not sure how applicable it is for the average park skier.
Dec 7 2015 4:42PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
KravtZJust started using the brush. Wow really gets the last bit off the skis. Didn't think it made that big of a difference but it does. Worth the $20 bucks for the brush. Though I always leave a little bit of wax underfoot for rail protection, etc. Idk if it works or not but keeps me sane knowing I have a littl emore wax underfoot


Maybe a bit of wax under foot is no big deal, but it will slow the skis if it is a bit soft for the conditions.

Most important is a "Rail" tune of the skis before they ever hit rails. If done correctly it can make the ski last longer before the edges crack beyond just not being catchy on the steel.

Good comment!
Dec 7 2015 4:44PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
Knewnewsnot of any real consequence. not trying to be a douche or anything i just dont think freestyle guys outside of pipe or mougles have much interest in brushing.

just like in freestyle it is hard to compete with kids that have 20k+ dumped into their skiing every year.

within 2 runs with most snow and temperature combos your bases will be scoured clean by friction.

by all means keep doing your thing and teaching people, good contribution just not sure how applicable it is for the average park skier.


This is why I am posting some of my tuning stuff here on NS. Seems too many of you young rippers just don't understand how much good ski work can help your game in a big way.

The deal about allowing the snow to "scrape off" the wax is totally bogus. It will never be any good. And if the wax is a bit soft for the snow conditions you will suck wind hard.

The distance between features and jumps may be short and when you need speed it is critical to have the best glide possible.

I have over forty years of skiing under my belt and have been tuning for years so my observations are from real experience and not from just reading some stuff on the interweb.

Your comment is a good one as you add to the discussion in an important way.
Take care!
Dec 7 2015 4:55PM
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,256
Knewnewsby all means keep doing your thing and teaching people, good contribution just not sure how applicable it is for the average park skier.


personally, I was tired of spending $30 a season for a crappy tune that really didn't do my skis much justice. $500 skis, $200 bindings... I may as well treat them like they're worth $700. I hot wax every two or three weeks, depending on the frequency at which I'm skiing. Shops around me get very backed up this time of year, so it's nice to not worry about having my skis sit in a shop for two weeks waiting to get worked on.
Dec 7 2015 5:16PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
BenWhitpersonally, I was tired of spending $30 a season for a crappy tune that really didn't do my skis much justice. $500 skis, $200 bindings... I may as well treat them like they're worth $700. I hot wax every two or three weeks, depending on the frequency at which I'm skiing. Shops around me get very backed up this time of year, so it's nice to not worry about having my skis sit in a shop for two weeks waiting to get worked on.


Truth! Once one is addicted to skiing it's a good investment to get the tools and learn hot to tune and wax.

Sure you will spend quite a bit of money to get all the stuff, but after some time it will pay for itself many times over VS taking your stuff to a shop that might even mess your stuff up on a cheep machine tune.

Hand tuned skis are easy to retune by hand,

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/739780/How-To--New-Ski-Tuning--amp--Base-Preparation-Part-1
Dec 7 2015 5:56PM
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dyer
Posts: 619 - Karma: 964
DominatorJacquesOh yea, BTW the guy is yours truly! Catch me at Mt. Bachelor most any day at the Bachelor Parks.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/759433/Bachelor-Parks-Real-Laps-Raleigh-White-March-3rd-2015


you shread. love bachelor btw
Dec 7 2015 10:49PM
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Elg
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 3,880
DominatorJacquesOh yea, BTW the guy is yours truly! Catch me at Mt. Bachelor most any day at the Bachelor Parks.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/759433/Bachelor-Parks-Real-Laps-Raleigh-White-March-3rd-2015


Awesome lap right there, miss mt. bachelor a lot.

I was thinking about making a thread for waxing and tuning skis, but you beat me to it. Keep adding more stuff, would love to read/watch videos of different waxes and techniques!
Dec 8 2015 8:55AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
ElgAwesome lap right there, miss mt. bachelor a lot.

I was thinking about making a thread for waxing and tuning skis, but you beat me to it. Keep adding more stuff, would love to read/watch videos of different waxes and techniques!


Not much interest here. Go to my YT channel and search waxing and tuning. I have several.

BTW I did about 60 something Real Lap vids last season. I only posted the skiers here. I have a bunch of boarders too that are exciting. Take care!
Dec 8 2015 11:32AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
dyeryou shread. love bachelor btw


I can't shred half of what the Real Lap skiers can! I be like too old for that! Can do some straight air tricks only! Be good and see me at Bachelor.
Dec 8 2015 11:36AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
26 minutes to scrape and brush a ski?
should take 5 max
invest in a roto brush bro
Dec 9 2015 9:02AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
SFBv420.026 minutes to scrape and brush a ski?
should take 5 max
invest in a roto brush bro


A roto brush will not help you to scrape any faster. I hate those things. Hand brushing is the best.

Please make a video and post it here of your five minute job. It's nice to see how people do it the way they do it.
Take care!
Dec 9 2015 12:11PM
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powderwhor
Posts: 380 - Karma: 725
^For real. I hope you were just doing this as an instructional video for people that only have hand brushes. If you tune skis for a living and aren't using a roto brush, you're seriously wasting your time.
Dec 9 2015 12:14PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
powderwhor^For real. I hope you were just doing this as an instructional video for people that only have hand brushes. If you tune skis for a living and aren't using a roto brush, you're seriously wasting your time.


I do tune for others. They are a group of very discriminating skiers who want the best and can afford it.

I can do the job in about 15 minutes most of the time. This took a bit longer because I am showing and talking about everything.
Dec 9 2015 12:19PM
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powderwhor
Posts: 380 - Karma: 725
DominatorJacquesI do tune for others. They are a group of very discriminating skiers who want the best and can afford it.

I can do the job in about 15 minutes most of the time. This took a bit longer because I am showing and talking about everything.


I was just waxing my skis back when I was racing and 20+ passes with 5 different brushes was driving me crazy to really get that polished finished. Roto brushes cut it down to 3 to 5 passes for each brush type. Extremely efficient at getting every bit of wax out and you can get roto brushes in every form imaginable. On a competitive race team we were expected to attend several tuning clinics a season and keep our skis immaculate. I can tell you with certainty that there is no downside to roto brushing as opposed to hand brushing if you do it properly. The best in the industry are tuning skis with rotos these days and you should consider doing the same as it would definitely improve your productivity :)
Dec 9 2015 12:30PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
powderwhorI was just waxing my skis back when I was racing and 20+ passes with 5 different brushes was driving me crazy to really get that polished finished. Roto brushes cut it down to 3 to 5 passes for each brush type. Extremely efficient at getting every bit of wax out and you can get roto brushes in every form imaginable. On a competitive race team we were expected to attend several tuning clinics a season and keep our skis immaculate. I can tell you with certainty that there is no downside to roto brushing as opposed to hand brushing if you do it properly. The best in the industry are tuning skis with rotos these days and you should consider doing the same as it would definitely improve your productivity :)


To each his own. That's cool. Yet a round rotating brush is totally not the same as a good flat brush. Roto brushes may overly burnish the ski surface where a hand brush will not. The other thing I hate about them is all the wax dust they stir up. Some folks spray a bit of water on the ski to help with that. It's just a mess. I don't like to inhale the dust and don't want to wear a respirator.

Now I will go to the Mt. Later and thanks for the input.
Dec 9 2015 1:04PM
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powderwhor
Posts: 380 - Karma: 725
DominatorJacquesTo each his own. That's cool. Yet a round rotating brush is totally not the same as a good flat brush. Roto brushes may overly burnish the ski surface where a hand brush will not. The other thing I hate about them is all the wax dust they stir up. Some folks spray a bit of water on the ski to help with that. It's just a mess. I don't like to inhale the dust and don't want to wear a respirator.

Now I will go to the Mt. Later and thanks for the input.


No doubt roto brushes can burn bases just like using too little wax, too hot an iron, ironing improperly, over-scraping, scraping with too much pressure and other mistakes. But as long as you only do a few passes with steel and brass roto, it is virtually impossible to burn bases with horsehair or nylon (once again if done properly). I use roto brushes over a tarp in my kitchen and I never found it much messier than hand brushes. Ultimately, the same amount of wax should come out of the ski making for the same mess. It can be a bit dusty but I do keep a spray bottle handy and I find it pretty negligible. Just my 2 cents but its obvious you do good work and I can appreciate that.
Dec 9 2015 1:22PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
powderwhorNo doubt roto brushes can burn bases just like using too little wax, too hot an iron, ironing improperly, over-scraping, scraping with too much pressure and other mistakes. But as long as you only do a few passes with steel and brass roto, it is virtually impossible to burn bases with horsehair or nylon (once again if done properly). I use roto brushes over a tarp in my kitchen and I never found it much messier than hand brushes. Ultimately, the same amount of wax should come out of the ski making for the same mess. It can be a bit dusty but I do keep a spray bottle handy and I find it pretty negligible. Just my 2 cents but its obvious you do good work and I can appreciate that.


Great comment. Some folks run the RPM's too fast. Some folks don't scrape well, then run the roto and that's when you get a mess!

One thing (as you must have seen) I do is scrape very well, then brushing is always easy!

Take care Powder! BTW, we had fresh snow, but it got cakey and bumpy so not the best. Home early!
Dec 9 2015 5:06PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6883 - Karma: 24,505
DominatorJacquesThe Zoom Box holds up to 12 pairs of skis with brakes open.


Wow that is awesome! You have your own hot box at home? I'm jealous.
Dec 9 2015 6:11PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
OregonDeadWow that is awesome! You have your own hot box at home? I'm jealous.


Work great for preparation. Main thing is...if you wax... always scrape and brush until nothing comes off anymore. If your not doing that, then you are wasting time and money waxing. In that case don't wax at all and you'll be better off. If that's the case, most times I will pass you whenever I like....as long as it's safe! ;-)

Take care Dead!
Dec 9 2015 7:07PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6883 - Karma: 24,505
DominatorJacquesmost times I will pass you whenever I like....as long as it's safe! ;-)

Take care Dead!


I don't doubt you. I just got into waxing regularly over the past few seasons and I just have a nylon brush. Still I find that it makes a huge difference.
Dec 9 2015 7:19PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
OregonDeadI don't doubt you. I just got into waxing regularly over the past few seasons and I just have a nylon brush. Still I find that it makes a huge difference.


Yes waxing gets really deep. Fluoro's, Anti-statitc's Hydro's

Any way you wax you can't brush too much! Get a brass ski brush. Use it prior to waxing and after. Also before you wax to make sure the base is clean I use Swix Glide Wax Cleaner. Other wise you end up waxing in dirt, pollen, soot, grease, etc.

Here is the video. It WILL NOT dry your bases.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/798668/How--and-Why-to-use-Swix-Glide-Wax-Cleaner
Dec 9 2015 7:27PM
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Rice
Posts: 311 - Karma: 2,229
DominatorJacquesHard to understand why the post has gotten down votes.


No, I doubt it's people downvoting u haha. When comments in the thread get downvoted it also affects the rating of the thread.

Interesting that u use a metal scraper. I personally use a sharp plastic scraper, as u might damage the base. Is suppose metal is faster, to each it's own.
Dec 10 2015 2:35AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
DominatorJacquesA roto brush will not help you to scrape any faster. I hate those things. Hand brushing is the best.

Please make a video and post it here of your five minute job. It's nice to see how people do it the way they do it.
Take care!

i gots way better things to do than make spew tube videos
just go to a real production and profit based shop and watch how them bros do it
or take a tip or two from a real legend on how to keep it simple stupid
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/800001/The-Q-and-P
Dec 10 2015 8:40AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
RiceNo, I doubt it's people downvoting u haha. When comments in the thread get downvoted it also affects the rating of the thread.

Interesting that u use a metal scraper. I personally use a sharp plastic scraper, as u might damage the base. Is suppose metal is faster, to each it's own.


Yes, a plastic scraper is fine for wax removal as long as it is super sharp.
I just don't like to have to constantly resharpen them. A steel scraper won't need constant resharpening. And again my wax removal steel scrapers are not too sharp, so they won't be pulling much base material.

Good comment Rice
Dec 10 2015 10:58AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
SFBv420.0i gots way better things to do than make spew tube videos
just go to a real production and profit based shop and watch how them bros do it
or take a tip or two from a real legend on how to keep it simple stupid
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/800001/The-Q-and-P



Yes, I've seen the video before. Maybe you don't realize that it is sort of a joke. Also that Doug could have skied 2x4's if he wanted to.

Jim is touted as an expert ski tech. Watch how he is doing it in this video. Notice he reshapens the plastic and uses hand brushes. That said he also does use rotos, but not in this video.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/800027/14---Start-Haus-Ski-Tuning---Waxing-Your-skis
Dec 10 2015 11:08AM
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CTD
Posts: 6300 - Karma: 348
DominatorJacquesMaybe a bit of wax under foot is no big deal, but it will slow the skis if it is a bit soft for the conditions.

Most important is a "Rail" tune of the skis before they ever hit rails. If done correctly it can make the ski last longer before the edges crack beyond just not being catchy on the steel.

Good comment!


TEACH DA YOUTH!!!

for real, rail tuning is KEY!!! Nice thread man!
Dec 10 2015 5:42PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
CTDTEACH DA YOUTH!!!

for real, rail tuning is KEY!!! Nice thread man!


Thank you CTD. I hope in the future to make a tuning video for a "Park-Rail" tune.
There are a few out there, but they are short and don't really explain why it's important to do the tune prior to hammering the edges. Be good and take care!
Dec 10 2015 5:46PM
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HAMNATION
Posts: 814 - Karma: 1,720
about 8 years ago I started rubbing my skis with money at the end of my wax after scraping. It makes them real shiny. Any thoughts could be superstitious but Im not going to not do after all this time
Dec 10 2015 9:10PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
HAMNATIONabout 8 years ago I started rubbing my skis with money at the end of my wax after scraping. It makes them real shiny. Any thoughts could be superstitious but Im not going to not do after all this time


Oh you are funny! That's great.
In the old days some used to rub news print on the skis before waxing.
The print was graphite based.
Go figure.
Now the graphite used in waxes is way better, but that's how things get discovered!

Next time try the money before you wax and then after you scrape, bush like crazy until you get no powder, then polish with the cash! Let us know how it works!

Stay awesome!
Dec 10 2015 10:50PM
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jackdonovan
Posts: 2248 - Karma: 3,079
DominatorJacquesMaybe a bit of wax under foot is no big deal, but it will slow the skis if it is a bit soft for the conditions.

Most important is a "Rail" tune of the skis before they ever hit rails. If done correctly it can make the ski last longer before the edges crack beyond just not being catchy on the steel.

Good comment!


how should i rail tune? i usually just use a file, diamond stone, and gummy stone, and try to round the edge out
Dec 13 2015 1:22PM
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brov1
Posts: 1826 - Karma: 8,837
pretty good vid. but realistically brushing the ski is more about cosmetic appeal if its a good scrape. the excess will be taken right off by the snow.
Dec 13 2015 5:31PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11232 - Karma: 76,336
brov1pretty good vid. but realistically brushing the ski is more about cosmetic appeal if its a good scrape. the excess will be taken right off by the snow.


That's a fallacy. Good luck with that.

If you are not totally brushing out the ski, you would be better off not waxing at all.
Dec 13 2015 6:04PM
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brov1
Posts: 1826 - Karma: 8,837
DominatorJacquesThat's a fallacy. Good luck with that.

If you are not totally brushing out the ski, you would be better off not waxing at all.


i mean i wax skis for a living. i brush all the skis that go out to customers solely for appearance. i have both brushed and not brushed my several pairs of skis and i honestly notice no difference in performance. buffing the ski is a different story if you friction buff the wax into the ski after scraping then there is a very minor improvement. any groomed run will take the miniscule amount of excess right off.
Dec 13 2015 7:51PM
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