Tuning Tips Guide
Common Questions
Topics: Waxing ::: Fluoro Powders ::: Nordic or Cross Country ::: Base Structure ::: Irons ::: Base Oxidation/Burnout ::: Salt & Ice ::: How to Clean Brushes ::: How to Sharpen Scrapers ::: Riller Bars
Waxing Skis & Snowboards
Q: Can I clean my board with chemical or citrus cleaners?
- NEVER, use cleaners - use the hot-wax-scrape method to clean. Cleaners are not recommended by ski & board manufacturers. They dry the base out and it would take lots of waxings to get it right again. They dissolve the wax but inevitably leave residue as they evaporate. Use the hot wax scrape method to cleanse the base. Basically you start with a warm rated (red/yellow) wax, melting it and scraping while the wax is still liquid. It cleans and conditions in one step. Using this method and keeping the base waxed will make it faster with time. If you already own cleaners, don't throw them away, you can use it to clean scrapers, files and other tools.
Q: Racewax.com waxes don't drip on like other waxes, why not?
- Our unique speed additives make the wax pasty when melted. Rub the wax on as if it was a crayon (fairly thick, two passes should work), then iron; if the wax is hard, soften it by touching it to the iron, then rub it on. By crayoning, you save wax (and money) over the wasteful drip-on method
Q: Are your waxes compatible with SWIX or TOKO?
- My Hybrid Series is my best quality and best seller. It is very compatible with the Swix line and matches up in this way: My 5 = Their 10; 4=8; 3=7; 2=6; 1=4. The T-Series is a fast wax and a very good value, it just doesn't have the same mixture of speed additives as the Hybrid and the wax isn't as sophisticated. F-Max is more of a base or first coat/layer wax. The 1 level may come in handy under your conditions as it is outstanding in the cold; it is a lot like a CH4, it is hard & hardens fast, but as a racing wax it is much faster. The Microfiber overlay is better in the cold than any of the CERA powders.
Q: How many pairs of skis or boards will 100 grams wax?
- About 10, maybe as much as 15 waxings. The crayon method instead of dripping conserves wax.
Q: What is hot boxing?
- Hot boxing skis and boards enables the wax to penetrate deeper into the the bases and can play a role in making bases faster. Also, for new skis it will accelerate the preparation process; it can take the place of 10 waxings.
- Hot-wax scrape your ski/board (yes, even new ones) until the wax is clean (for new skis/boards this is important to building a foundation for the hot box treatment). Cool, scrape and brush out all excess wax.
- Generously wax your base with a warm temperature rated wax (typically a red or yellow) and do not scrape or brush.
- Place base up in a heated hot box at 140 F (60 C). For anywhere between 6 and 9 hours. Use the advice of the shop tech to decide this (if in doubt be conservative).
- When done allow the skis/boards to cool (overnight is preferred).
- This can be repeated several times.
- In my World Cup tuning class Willie said that he uses a hot box to save time sometimes. He suggested 60 C for 6-9 hours and said that was equivalent to 10 wax cycles. You should double-check this with the ski manufacturer.
- Get advice before hot boxing cap skis.
- Follow-up hot boxing by hand-waxing with racewax.com's fluoro waxes and keep them waxed to prevent drying out.
- Don't use fluoro waxes in the hot box.
Q: The air temperature is a temperature on the wax chart that is between two wax selections, which one do I choose?
- When in doubt wax with the colder one.
Q: The temperature will be cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon, how should I wax?
- Wax cold if you can only do it once for the day; racewax.com waxes have enough fluoro to perform well as it warms. But if you have time, you can brush off dirt, rub on a warmer wax, cork it in well, brush wax out of the structure, polish, and add an overlay if you desire.
Q: How much fluoro is in racewax.com waxes?
I heard high fluoro waxes can dry out bases, do you waxes do this?
I heard that you can burn out fluoros with a hot iron, and that this can be dangerous.
- On average the fluoro content is 25% fluoro, but the content is adjusted according to the temperature range of the wax. It has far more than other high fluoro waxes, and the fluoro compounds are a blend of new technology fluoros, fluoro microfibers, that don't carry some of the problems that other fluoro waxes do. So you don't need high & low fluoro waxes.
- The fluoro speed additives used by racewax.com do not dry out the base.
- Most fluoro speed additives used by racewax.com will not burn out (but we also don't recommend that you run the iron hot and make the waxes smoke). Except for the Hybrid wax, all my fluoro waxes are made by blending fluoros like microfibers into the wax. This eliminates any risk from fumes, because the fluoros are unable to be melted. The hybrid uses a chemical type fluoro (with the microfiber) that, like other fluoros, can be made airborne if it were to be overheated, but it is in low concentration and it isn't a concern.
Q: I've noticed that after skiing on a warm day there would be a build-up of a black tar-like gunk on the ski surface. This was very noticeable on the older white p-tex bases. The modern black ones do not show the build-up, but it shows up when wiped with a paper towel. What is this stuff and more importantly, is there a was combination that would prevent it or severely reduce it?
- There is dirt/sludge in the wet snow in warm weather and the dirt floats to the surface. Use a Moly or Graphite wax to repel the dirt.
Fluoro Powders
Q: I was reading about some of the precautions on your site for working with Fluoro Powder and Waxes. I use wicked wax quite frequently over the winter and was wondering if you know where I can find out more information on Health Risks when working with such chemicals. I enjoy your product and it is the fastest I have found. I would like to continue using it for the years to come.
- Try to work in a ventilated area and follow my other safety tips.
Q: Are your fluoro powders the same as the "name brands"? I was under the impression that pure fluoro is pure fluoro, and just the company that sells it is different. Is that true, are their different makeups, etc.?
- I can tell you that my powders and fibers are 100% pure. If the others claim 100% purity then chemically they must be the same. However, I will contend that the physical modifications or form of our fluoros (nano and fiber versions) make them superior to other products.
Nordic or Cross Country
Q: How durable are your waxes?
- Racers find that the microfiber waxes and overlays provide speed throughout or deep into the race.
Q: I've been using and understanding your wax line for a couple of years. I got sidetracked (and burned) with other products and now am with your products and find them very effective. I race nordic skate races in the 25-30k range. You recommend corking in vigorously the microfiber overlay and specifically state not to iron it in. I always thought that with a fluoro overlay, per the Swix people, that although the overlay can't be melted, it is ironed into the wax that remains on the ski (i.e. wax melts as the iron is passed over it). Does this work with the microfiber? Does a vigorous corking as you state on your site last for more than 5k, as the Swix people would have you believe. They state in their prep handbook that corking is great for the short haul but ironing and brushing and perhaps corking is best for longer distances.
- You are 100% correct. However, given the level of understanding that most people have about tuning & waxing, and the misconceptions regarding the concepts you state below -- no matter how clearly I attempt to say it -- I still get people jacking up the temperature trying to melt the stuff. So rather than face the wrath of people with ruined bases, I don't discuss your points below. I say not to iron fluoro is that I don't want people to think that you can melt my product with an iron. If you want to use a warm iron to soften wax and let the powder drift into it, that's OK. I don't say this because I was getting too many people misunderstanding it and trying to melt the fluoro. I tried for 2 years to write something that I thought was clear but I still had confusion. I feared someone would ruin their base.
Base Structure
Q: I rubbed in the paste wax, waited 5 minutes and then polished with your polishing cloth. Is that all I have to do?
- That's all good, but you should brush paste out of the structure with a horsehair brush as well.
Q: In the spring as the temperature rises and patches of snow begin to melt, I begin to feel areas where the skis get "grabby": the skis slow but the body does not! This is very scary!! How do I prevent this?
- This is a suction effect of water under the base. If the water doesn't move out from under the base, the ski slows from suction. You need a deeper structure (and to make sure that you brush excess wax out) to channel the water like treads on tires. For these conditions, brushing is critical; brush with nylon and horsehair until all the wax is removed from the base structure.
Irons
Q: How reliable are the temp markings on the iron? I know not to let it smoke, but would like to get as close as possible.
- If your iron isn't calibrated, what you dial in may not be the exact temperature of the iron. Use these numbers as a guide and adjust down to the lowest temperature that will maintain the wax in a liquid state at a length of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) behind your iron. Using your judgment is always preferred to relying on the dial setting.
Q: Is it OK to use an old clothes iron for waxing?
- Although a domestic clothes iron (new or used) may be a less expensive option, but the damage it can cause due to wide temperature swings can end up costing you. A good wax iron only fluctuates about 4-8 degrees Celsius when waxing. A clothing or small travel iron can fluctuate up to 30 degrees Celsius. The wild swing can easily generate scorching temperatures that burn bases or damage your gear. Choose an iron with a minimum wattage of 800 and a thick (one-third to one-half inch) sole plate with no holes.
Q: How fast or slow do I move the iron when waxing?
- This is hard to describe, so let's say spend about 3 minutes waxing each ski.
Base Oxidation and Burnout
Q: What are the white/gray patches and streaks on my bases?
- Prolonged, unprotected exposure to the air can cause polyethylene base materials to oxidize, harden and deteriorate. Oxidation is characterized by white streaks, which appear when dried-out base surfaces begin to harden. The best defense against oxidation is regular maintenance. If it does occur, the best fix is to carefully sand or scrape off the oxidized polyethylene layer as soon as possible, then re-wax immediately.
- Wax will also protect your base from oxidation. Bases exposed to oxygen will oxidize and become rough, similar to the roughness created when steel oxidizes in the form of rust. Wax seals your base to prevent the harmful oxidation that slows your ski/board. RELATED ITEM: base burnout -- The immense friction resulting from race skis tracking mega-force turns at very high speeds on hard snow in World Cup downhill courses can literally burn away ski base material underfoot in only one or two runs.
Salt, Snow, and Ice
Q: The race course salted to freeze it, how does that work?
- When salt is added to the snow a little bit of snow melts, the liquid is immediately faced with the immense chore of dissolving the salt, and robs itself and other liquid around it of heat to do so. This drops the temperature of the salted snow and without that heat, the liquid (or wet snow) refreezes. A salt-water-ice mixture has a lower freezing point than water-ice.
Q: If this is so, why doesn't the road freeze when salted?
- The salt lowers the freezing point, so if the air temperature is higher than the new freezing point, the ice is now a liquid.
How to Clean Brushes
Q: What is the best way to clean hand brushes?
There is no one way to do it so I will list several methods that people have used:
- Citrus base cleaners will certainly do the job, some let the brushes sit bristles down in a tub of shallow cleaner. NOTE: Some nylon may absorb the cleaner and sometimes the cleaner fumes can affect a glue or printed labels on the brush. So use the cleaner briefly multiple times rather than allowing it to sit for long periods.
- Bristles down on a couple of layers of paper towels in an oven at the lowest setting will melt and pull the wax out.
- Boiling hot water will melt wax, but rinsing over tap water may lead to wax buildup in your drain.
How to Sharpen Scrapers
Q: How can I sharpen plexi scrapers?
- A molded plastic scraper (a cheaper variety) may not be able to be sharpened. This answer is geared towards the harder plexi scrapers. Build a 90 degree jig to serve as a guide to keeping the scraper perpendicular to the table surface. Fix a piece of 120-grit sheetrock sanding screen or a pansar file to the base surface. Run the scraper across several times while holding against the guide. Finish the surface with 220-grit sandpaper.
Using Riller Bars
Q: What are riller bars?
For dollar-saving do-it-yourself structuring (mostly for people who ski for fun but want performance)...
- Adding structure with a Riller Bar: When you can't (or don't want to) stone grind (because you may have to repeat the process above) you may wish to "freshen up" or renew the structure. If you are a serious racer, do not attempt this unless you have experimented on non-racing skis and are confident that you know what you are doing.
- Check base flatness with a true bar.
- If you must eliminate high spots, use a 100 grit silicon carbide paper wrapped around a file to remove them by sanding from tip to tail.
- Follow up by buffing with a fine pad.
- There are four working edges to the bar - two each for the coarse (warm/wet snow) and fine (cold/dry snow) structure patterns. Try to keep track of what edge and section of the bar you used last to ensure even wear on the riller bar.
- Hold the riller bar across the base of the ski starting at the ski tip. Angle (or tip) the bar forward 45 degrees and push the bar away from you towards the tail as you press the bar into the base of the ski. Try not stop through the entire length of the ski - just walk forward and continue with even pressure during the entire pass.
- Pressure distribution on the bar is the real challenge in getting a consistent pattern. Use two passes - one pass with thumbs in the middle of the bar concentrating on the center of the base and one pass with thumbs at the sides of the bar concentrating on the sides of the base. This ensures good even coverage across the entire base of the ski.
- Keep in mind that an irregular pattern is not a bad thing, so don't be overly concerned with the uniformity of the pattern.
- A linear pattern down the length of the ski is not optimum for skiing. It should be broken up significantly to move the water out and away in warm/wet snow, but less so with the fine structure pattern for cold/dry snow because you want the water created by friction to reside there longer (you ride on this thin film of water to go fast).
- Use the fine pad once or twice to reduce any rough edges the riller may have produced.
- NOTE 1: The brass metal of the riller bar is much softer than your metal ski edges and will not damage them.
- NOTE 2: You are not "cutting" structure into the base; you are "pressing" it into the base.
- NOTE 3: Use the rilling bar procedure after base repair.
- NOTE 4: You can also create cross structures by overlapping alternating 60 degree rillings, left and right (tip to tail) down the length of the ski. You may wish to practice this on non-racing skis before you attempt it for the big race.
