Ski Tuning 101
- 1). Clamp the skis to the ski clamps on the waxing bench with the bases facing up.
- 2). Examine the bases for any gouges. Sand any p-tex that has curled up smooth with sandpaper, then fill in the gouges with the p-tex candle. Hold the p-tex candle over a lighter and drizzle a small amount into the gouge. Hold the plastic scraper at a 45-degree angle to the base and run it from front to back over the gouge until it is smooth.
- 3). Run your fingers along the edges to feel for any burrs. Smooth out burrs with the diamond stone by rubbing the diamond stone along the edge until the burr is removed.
- 4). Sharpen the edges. You will first need to sharpen the side edges, then the base edges. Use a bevel guide for each. Clamp the file to the side edge bevel guide and hold it against the edge at a 90-degree angle so that the file rests against the edge of the ski, then run the side edge bevel guide from front to back to sharpen the edges. Repeat with the base edge bevel guide to sharpen the base edges.
- 5). Wax the skis with the waxing iron. Choose a wax by the temperature and gradient of the snow. If you are unsure, use a colder temperature wax. Hold the wax against the waxing iron above the ski base and drizzle a small amount on the base from tip to tail. Iron the wax in, then let it cool for several hours. Remove any excess with the plastic scraper by holding the scraper at a 45-degree angle to the base and scraping off the wax. Finish the waxing by buffing the waxed base with the brush.
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