Cross country skiing is a winter sport that allows you to ski longer and farther than most other sports. The beauty of cross country skiing is that it allows you to shred the famous white powdery stuff until your heart’s content! However, not all snow is created equal, and old wax can build up quickly on your skis, causing them to become sluggish and less maneuverable.
If you’re finding it hard to ski with old wax accumulating, you might be wondering how to get rid of it. Luckily, we’ve got you covered on this front. Here’s how to remove old wax from cross country skis.
Table of Contents
Get The Right Tool
When it comes to taking off old ski wax, there are several options. First, you could use a wire brush to scrub it off. Alternatively, you could use chemicals like alcohol or acetone to dissolve the old wax. A less invasive method would be to simply warm up the surface of the ski in the sun or in front of a heating pipe.
When choosing which method to use, it’s important to consider the type of wax you have accumulated. Depending on the type of ski wax you use, you might need to use a different tool to remove it. For example, if you have sticky tape wax, a wire brush might not be the best option. One final thing to consider is how dirty your skis are. If they are super dirty, then you might need to use chemicals to remove the old wax.
Wash Down The Ski
Once you’ve got the right tool, it’s time to give your skis a good wash. First, remove all the snow and debris from the surface of the ski. This is important because any dirt or sand trapped under the surface of the snow will cause friction when you ski, leading to potential damage.
After you’ve cleaned off the surface of the ski, spray some water on it. This will help remove any remaining moisture, which might cause the wax to deteriorate.
Scrub The Wax Off The Ski
Now that you’ve washed off the surface of the ski and dried it, it’s time to begin the process of removing the old wax from it. Instead of scrubbing it with a cloth or brush, you could use something made specifically for this purpose: a ski wax scraper. These tools are built with a flexible metal scraping blade that makes quick work of removing stubborn wax from tricky to reach places like the inside of the skis.
Most people use their fingernails to rub off their old wax, but using a tool designed for this purpose will make the process much easier. Never fear though, because this is one area where nail polish might actually come in handy. While you’re at it, why not paint your nails bright colors like orange, red, or yellow to match your ski gear? It’s the only way to make sure you’re totally prepared for the cold winter months!
Wax Removal Conclusion
Now that you’re finally wax free, you can polish and buff your skis to make them look like new. If not, you can always resort to warmer climates in the summertime to regenerate your fun in the snow!