Scratches on top of skis are pretty rare, but when they happen, they can be pretty frustrating. These are easily the most visible blemishes that you will have on your ski equipment. Unfortunately, there is no one-stop-shop solution for this problem, but you can fix them yourself with a little bit of elbow grease and some safety gear.
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The Basics
You will need to strip the skis down to their basic skeleton—this means removing all of the protective layers on the surface. You will also need to clean each part of the sled, inside and out. It’s a good idea to do this before storing the equipment for the season. This way you can make sure that all of the parts are free of dirt and oil that could come from the skis’ natural environment (such as land or water) or from regular use.
Many people are hesitant to strip their skis down because they think that this will damage them. While it’s true that you could scratch or crack the surface of the ski, this is usually not the case. The vast majority of the time, the scratches on your ski are already worn-in and nothing more than surface scratches. This is why you should feel confident enough to remove all of the protective layers.
You can use a wire brush or even the pad of your finger to scrub the surface of the ski until it shines. After you strip your skis, you should give them a quick wipe down with some clean, dry cloths. This will remove any excess moisture that could cause the rubberized covering to slip.
If you store your skis in the snow, this will also help prevent future scratches. Moisture and ultra-violet rays are the main causes of surface rust and discoloration on your skis. When the snow evaporates, the surface is immediately exposed and can begin to deteriorate.
The Tools You Will Need
When fixing scratches on the top of your ski, you will need a variety of tools. The first and most crucial of these is a set of chisels. These will be your primary means of removing material from the ski as you progress through the repair process. In addition to chisels, you will need smaller specialty tools like brads and sockets, and the like. Some people use a wire brush to remove material in the same way they would with a dull knife, but this is not necessarily the case.
Since you will be removing material from the top of the ski, you will need something to lift it up. This is why most people turn to screwdrivers or wrenches to accomplish their task. A hand-full of pick-axes are also pretty useful for loosening stubborn snow and ice, especially in the winter time. Another option would be to use an electric saw or a battery-powered reciprocating saw. These tools make quick work of cutting through the crust so that you can get to the base material. You could alternatively use an ax or even a handsaw if you’re working away from a power source.
Steps To Check For Water Damage
Once you have removed all of the layers of protection from your skis, you should use a dehumidifier to dry them out. You should do this both before and after you strip them down to their basic form. This is because water can cause a number of problems for your equipment when left uncleaned. These include, but are not limited to, rusting and premature aging of the metal parts, as well as making the wood components become wet and thus more susceptible to decay.
The next step is to use a hygroscopic product to remove all of the remaining moisture from the surface of your skis. You can use a little bit of water to test for any remaining moisture, or you can follow the instructions on the container to determine the best product for the job. Once your skis have been cleaned and dried out, you can return them to their original form and store them away for the winter.
Repairs
Now that you have your equipment stripped and prepped for the winter, it’s time to start fixing the scratches on top of your ski. It’s always a good idea to start at the top and work your way down. This will help you avoid any accidents that could arise from falling objects or pieces of ice. As you go down, you will begin to see that there are more and more visible scars on your skis. These are the natural result of your adventures on the slopes. There is no need to be discouraged by this, however, as it means you are improving your game and working at fixing the nicks and cracks in your snowboard or skis.
When you reach the base of the ski, you will notice that the material is much thicker than it is at the top. This is where most of the damage occurs, so you will need to work your way back up using your tools. Sometimes, this can be a laborious process and take a lot of time. When you reach the top, you will need to be sure that all of the scratches are visible. This will help you determine if you have reached the end of the line or if there is more to be done.
The majority of the time, people fix scratches on their skis by hand using a variety of tools. In some cases, they might even resort to using a heat gun to melt the snow and ice away. While this seems like an easy enough solution, it is not without its drawbacks. This is why most people avoid it as a last resort. You must take care not to overuse this heat gun and potentially destroy the surface of your equipment. There is also the danger of overheating and causing burn marks or other permanent damage to your goods. Instead of a heat gun, you could always try using a pickaxe or even your finger to warm up the surface of your skis. In most cases, this is enough to melt the snow and ice away so that you can continue with the rest of the repairs without any problems.
When you reach the bottom of your ski, you should again use a dehumidifier to dry it out. Before putting the layers of protection back on your snowboard or skis, however, you should use a waterproofing product to protect it from any future damage. The final step is to give your equipment a quick wipe down with some dry cloths. In most cases, this will be all that is needed for a perfect fix. In some cases, however, you might need to take it a step further and use a waterproofing product to fully protect your snowboard or skis in the future.
While it’s rare, it is important to prepare yourself for the possibility of fixing scratches on top of your ski. With a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of safety gear, you will be able to fix these minor blemishes without any problems.