P-Tex vs Epoxy

Bump. Ive got the same question

I use epoxy over p-tex for most everything from old binding holes or top sheet chips. ive never used it for core shots but everything ive used it for it does the trick. Its very strong and doesnt let moisture in. Just let it set for a few hours and make sure its level with the surface youre applying it to, use gloves bc itll stick to everything and its a pain to get off your hands.

I ripped the edge out of the tip of my skis and epoxied it back together with clamps for like 48 hours and it lasted all of one day

Epoxy doesn’t slide on snow very well or hold wax well.

but on skis with core shots that keep ripping out Ive had good luck doing an epoxy layer and then roughing it up with a knife edge after its hardened and base welded on top of that.

I only had to do this on a pair of stocklis that had a full sheet of metal under the base so there wasn’t much for regular ptex to stick to. Most standard construction skis you should be able to get a regular base repair to work, just gotta make sure its super dry and pick out all the loose fiberglass and wood bits.

Are you fixing these core shots and it's ripping out or did a shop do it? Just curious

Turd__AuthorityAre you fixing these core shots and it's ripping out or did a shop do it? Just curious

I usually fix most of them. I usually leave coreshots on the edge of the ski for shops to base weld. I just feel like no matter what I do, I can’t get the P Tex to fully fill any core shots without any small holes or bubbles, and keep its structural integrity in the ski. How do you decide when to patch vs fill a coreshot?

shoeniceI usually fix most of them. I usually leave coreshots on the edge of the ski for shops to base weld. I just feel like no matter what I do, I can’t get the P Tex to fully fill any core shots without any small holes or bubbles, and keep its structural integrity in the ski. How do you decide when to patch vs fill a coreshot?

I'm no ski tech but pretty sure the size of the damage determines if fill it in or if patch it.

Also if you're just using a candle to drip ptex versus a ptex gun or soldering tool to melt the ptex in, it probably won't hold as well. Someone correct me if I'm misspeaking. Also gotta make sure you get that thing flush with the rest of the base. Additionally, if you fill in deep scratches that aren't technically core shots, I've found those tend to fall off easier.

There's some pretty good threads on here for base repair that I'd suggest looking up if you haven't already.

For big nasty shit I typically use a high end epoxy with a piece of base material roughly cut to the size of the hole. I'm not sure where exactly you would buy small pieces of this unless you know of someone in your local area that makes skis/ boards. I fill it with epoxy until it is ~1 mm below the surface of the base, you can use chopped fiberglass as a bit of a filler if it's super deep but it's kind of overkill. I tape the base material to a piece of wood and then clamp it to the ski. it helps if you use a bit of a spacer on the outside of the piece of base material that is 1 mm or so thick. When it cures you will have a patch that is a little proud of the ski so all you have to do is scrape it down with a metal scraper and you are good to go. Holds most of the time for me.

I’ve used tons of epoxy on my rock skis. That shit holds up great and never comes out but even if you sand it down nicely it’s still noticeable sticky on the bottom. If you don’t really care about the performance then go for it because it’s a reliable and easy fix but otherwise just get a base weld

It really depend on how bad the core shot is. I have 1.5mm core shot on my touring skis and been using P-tex as a fix. I have to re-apply a coating every few weeks to avoid the fiberglass from getting stress cracks.
A shop tech will be your best bet for a good, permanent fix, even if they cost a bit more.

Put in metal grip (base weld) in your core shots, then petex over top of that. If you just do petex it won't hold well.

ShadowXVXPut in metal grip (base weld) in your core shots, then petex over top of that. If you just do petex it won't hold well.

This, it’s all pretty cheap as well and is an easy fix. The metal grip will hold to the core and ptex pretty well, where if you just use ptex it doesn’t hold to the core well enough to last.