How To Wax On and Wax Off

  Sprays, solids, liquids, the list goes on and on. I'm surprised they haven't found a way to put wax right in the snow yet. For a good wax job (tee hee) you have to spend some time to do a proper job. All you need is ski wax and an old iron, or hair dryer, or if you need your parents permission, you'd better get it now, then check out the tutorial.

  Special note:  Many, many expert skiers say that the spray and rub-on waxes seem to work just as well, but not near as long. The plus is that if the weather changes, you can re-wax in seconds. The minus is that you may have to re-wax several times in a day. Take it from an avid skier and ex-ski patroller, if you like to go fast, or look good, wax your planks.

Using sprays or rub-on's.

1. These are the easiest way to wax you skis or boards. It's just a matter of spraying or rubbing it on, and then maybe off again. (pic #1) That's it.  Any variations will be on the label.

Using an Iron or hair dryer. (old irons are preferable)

1. Check for deep gouges or scratches.
2. If you do find any deep cuts in the bottom of your ski or board, you'll have to use a special wax to fill them.
3. Pre-heat iron, or get ready to draw your hair dryer.
4. Pull out your stick of hard wax. The one you bought at a store, not the one in your pants. Um, if you have one.
5. If you have to repair gouges this technique is the same. Use the iron or hair dryer to slowly melt the wax or repair stick, dripping it onto the bottom surface. (pic #2) For repairs, drip the special wax right into the crevice of the cut, until it is filled up. For a hummer of a wax job, make sure the wax is dripping at a steady pace, distributing a nice even wax surface. You don't need to have the wax dripping everywhere, just enough to completely cover the surface.
6. Now, when it hardens in a few minutes, take you handy ski scraper (board scrapers are much wider), and fairly gently and evenly scrape along the entire length surface (toe to heel), and remove the excess wax. Continue this until the surface is smoother and even. Run your fingers along the bottom to feel for bumps. The idea is to remove the imperfections in the wax, but the wax must still completely cover the bottom surface.
7. Scrape the edges, and your done. Make sure you choose the right type of wax. i.e.: different waxes for different temps.
8. Buff the surface with a buffer or special buffing rag, if you need that ultimate finish. (pic #3)