Tuning Tips Guide
Ski and Snowboard Tuning Kit Instructions
What's in Your Kit?
RaceWax Deluxe Kits
- Edge Bevel Multi Tool with metal file (SKU RB-3503) for a precise edge angle from 0 degree to 5 degrees in 0.5 degree increments -- use to set/establish angles for boards and skis;
- Blue DMT Diamond Stone -- use to routinely sharpen by placing in the edge tool instead of the file because frequent use of the file will wear down your edges;
- 40 g bar of All Temperature Ski Wax -- rated for all conditions;
- Acrylic Wax Scraper -- for scraping excess wax off you ski or board, one corner is notched to remove wax from edges;
- Metal Scraper -- to scrape/plane ptex dripped on to repair base gouges;
- Full-Size Gummi Stone -- for edge rust removal, detuning, and burr removal;
- Large Edge Stone (brown or gray) -- for removal/repair of edge damage;
- File Cleaning Brush -- used to keep files free of metal waste;
- Clear P-Tex rod -- drip into gouges in your base to repair it, for use in colored areas of base;
- Black P-Tex rod -- drip into gouges in your base to repair it, for use in black areas of base;
- Two pair (four total) different style brake retainers -- holds ski brake during edge tuning (not needed for snowboards);
- all in a zippered Cordura pouch with lots of storage pockets.
RaceWax Quality Kits
- Pocket II Racing Base Edge Beveler for 88 / 89 side and 89 degree base edge angles with metal file -- use to set/establish angles for boards and skis
- Blue DMT Diamond Stone -- use to routinely sharpen by placing in the edge tool instead of the file because frequent use of the file will wear down your edges;
- 40 g bar of All Temperature Ski Wax -- rated for all conditions;
- Acrylic Wax Scraper -- for scraping excess wax off you ski or board, one corner is notched to remove wax from edges;
- Metal Scraper -- to scrape/plane ptex dripped on to repair base gouges;
- Full-Size Gummi Stone -- for edge rust removal, detuning, and burr removal;
- Large Edge Stone (brown or gray) -- for removal/repair of edge damage;
- File Cleaning Brush -- used to keep files free of metal waste;
- Clear P-Tex rod -- drip into gouges in your base to repair it, for use in colored areas of base;
- Black P-Tex rod -- drip into gouges in your base to repair it, for use in black areas of base;
- One pair (two) brake retainers -- holds ski brake during edge tuning (not needed for snowboards);
- all in a zippered Cordura pouch with lots of storage pockets.
RaceWax Ski Tuning Kit, Basic Starter Edition
- Edge Beveler for 88 / 90 side edge angles -- use to set/establish angles for boards and skis;
- 40 g bar of All Temperature Wax -- rated for all conditions;
- 5 inch Wax Scraper (color may be different than shown) -- for scraping excess wax off you ski or board, one corner is notched to remove wax from edges;
- Large Edge Stone -- for removal/repair of edge damage;
- Metal Scraper -- to scrape/plane ptex dripped on to repair base gouges;
- Clear P-Tex rod -- drip into gouges in your base to repair it, for use in colored areas of base;
- Black P-Tex rod -- drip into gouges in your base to repair it, for use in black areas of base;
- Brake Retainer -- holds ski brake during edge tuning (not needed for snowboards);
- Non-abrasive Fibertex pad for buffing after scraping wax -- if you don't have a brush, this pad will do the job;
- all in a zippered Cordura pouch with lots of storage pockets.
These instructions are written specifically for RaceWax tuning kits.
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Basic Steps in a Tiny Nutshell
- Base edge bevel / sharpen
- Side edge bevel / sharpen
- Clean base / remove old wax
- Drip on wax that you plan to use for the mountain
- Iron into base
- Cool to room temperature
- Scrape off excess wax
- Brush base
- Go to top of snowy mountain
Basic Steps in a Nutshell
For a more general overview that is a relatively quick read, go to the
Quick Tuning Guide page.
Ski/Snowboard Tuning in Detail
Base Edge Bevel
Side Edge Bevel
Clean / Remove Old Wax
Try to avoid chemical or citrus cleaners? Try to learn the hot-wax-scrape method to clean. If you have no other option, use a citrus-based cleaner, but use it lightly. You can also use cleaners to on scrapers, files and other tools. But remember they dry the base out and it would take lots of waxings to get it right again, so don't over do it. They dissolve the wax but inevitably leave residue as they evaporate. Use the hot wax scrape method to cleanse the base. Basically you are using a light 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.
- Use the hot-scrape method to completely clean the base of old wax before you add new wax. The idea is to use warm/liquefied wax to "wash out" the dirt and old wax.
- Choose an inexpensive soft wax, the red (warm) hydrocarbon made here is ideal for this.
- Drip on a coat of wax
- Work tip to tail.
- You want a warmer iron for this step so and scrape it off while it is still liquid. You should have a 8 inch trail of liquid wax behind the iron without overheating the base and do not smoke the wax!
- Some people monitor the temperature by touching the top of the ski (which is now under the base); keep in mind that the thermal properties of skis (how well heat passes through from base to top) differs from ski-to-ski because the layers may have different thicknesses or materials, so for some skis a feeling of warmth may be too hot.
- Repeat waxing/scraping until the wax is clean.
