Waxless cross country skis are a fantastic alternative to traditional skis. Not only do they look fantastic, but you don’t have to deal with all the excess wax that can build up under difficult conditions. Since there’s no wax to remove, all you need are some common household items and some elbow grease to fix them! Here’s how you can do it:
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The Importance Of Tread
Waxless cross country skis have a tread pattern that is designed for grip and better footing on snow and ice, so you’ll be able to hit the snow without any problems. Unlike other types of skis that are designed for carving, these skis are built for all-round use so they can be hitched up and down the mountain with minimal effort. This is great if you’re going for a skiing holiday but don’t have the time to go through all of the rigmarole of waxing and untaxing your ski equipment each time you change resorts.
The Materials Skis Are Made Of
There are many different types of materials used to make waxless cross country skis, but the most common ones are fiberglass, kevlar, and plastic. You won’t find any wood products used as it would deteriorate too quickly under extreme pressure.
Fiberglass is a popular material because it’s light, easy to work with, and relatively inexpensive. If you damage one of these skis, you can easily replace it.
Traditional Versus Waxless Cross Country Skis
Traditional, or waxed, cross country skis are more common because they offer better performance. Not only do they slide better on snow and ice than their waxless counterparts, but they’re also designed to handle extreme speeds and conditions. Many people prefer traditional skis because they require less maintenance and are more reliable than their waxless counterparts. However, with the right care and attention to detail, you can extend the lifespan of your waxless skis and get the same level of performance.
Repairs
Just like any other type of motorized vehicle, vehicles made of fiberglass, kevlar, and plastic can break down. This is something that you need to keep in mind when considering which type of ski to purchase. Fortunately, these types of skis are much easier to repair than other vehicle types, so if you do happen to break one down, you can easily fix it with some common household items and simple, yet effective, tools.
The Necessary Tools
There are a few tools that you’ll need to fix waxless cross country skis, but nothing too arduous. You’ll need a few pliers, a few wrenches, and some screwdrivers. Additionally, you may need some duct tape or electrical tape to secure the items you use to fix your skis.
Since there’s no wax to remove, you’ll need to make sure that all of the metal surfaces are properly cleaned before applying any type of sealant. This will make a significant difference in ensuring that your equipment doesn’t rust or corrode.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Although fixing your waxless skis doesn’t require a lot of expert knowledge, it can still be a bit tricky. This is why we’ve compiled this detailed step-by-step guide so that you can easily follow along and fix your own equipment without any assistance. From start to finish, this guide should take you no more than an hour to complete.
Remove The Snow And Ice
The first thing that you need to do to fix your waxless skis is remove the snow and ice. If this is the first ski trip of the season, then you might want to strip the snow off of its surface to allow the sun to warm the metal underneath. After you’ve thawed out the metal, you can apply a few light coats of lubricant and polish it with some steel wool or a damp cloth to make it shine again.
Once the surface has been cleaned, you can proceed with fixing the skis. Depending on the type of damage that you’ve sustained, this step could be a bit more complicated.
Determining The Type Of Damage
As discussed above, traditional, or waxed, cross country skis are more robust than their waxless counterparts, so they tend to withstand heavier usage and abuse. For this reason, you might want to start by diagnosing the type of damage that has been done to your equipment. Take a look at the photo below to get an idea of what we mean:
As you can see, the tip of the ski is bent. This type of damage can be easily corrected by wrapping the affected area with some electrical tape to stabilize it and prevent further damage. In the event of excessive and repeated stress or strain, then you’ll need to replace the entire ski.
Apply A Patch Or Caulking To The Tip Of The Ski
The next step is to apply a patch or caulking to the tip of the ski. The reason that we recommend using these types of materials is because they have a low coefficient of friction and can better withstand extreme temperatures and pressure. Once you’ve applied the patch or caulk, you can use some electrical tape to adhere it to the tip of the ski. Make sure that the area around the tip is free from any wrinkles or imperfections so that when you apply the tape, the patch or caulk will stick firmly.
Reinforce The Base Area
After you’ve capped off the tip of the ski, you can move down to the base area to reinforce it. We mentioned above that these types of skis are made of lighter materials, so it’s no surprise that the base area is the weak point of the ski. This is where most of the damage will occur if you sustain any at all while skiing. For this reason, you should focus your attention on the base area when you start fixing the skis. Make sure that you’ve cleaned it thoroughly before applying any type of sealant or coating. Once you’ve done this, you can proceed with reinforcing the area. This entails wrapping it with tape or using some other type of tape to produce a strong bond between the base area and the ski.
Waxless Skis Are An Experiment Or Hobby?
After you’ve finished fixing your waxless skis, you might wonder if this is all there is to it. Fortunately, you can use these types of skis for both recreational and professional purposes, so it’s no wonder that they’re becoming so popular. If you’re looking to fix up a few pairs for yourself or a friend, then this type of ski is a fantastic choice. Not only will they look fantastic, but they’ll also perform better than most other types of equipment. When you’re going for a skiing holiday then traditional waxed skis are still the choice of many. However, if you’re going on a road trip then a pair of waxless skis can significantly reduce your stress level on rough roads and icy conditions. In either case, if you’ve got the talent, then you can master this technique and use it to fix up all your equipment in the future!
Hopefully, this article has answered all of your questions about fixing waxless cross country skis. If you’re looking for a way to save money and enjoy your skiing experience without all of the hassle, then you can’t go wrong fixing up a few pairs of these skis.