Some considerations about the proper maintenance of their skis.
   
There are many theories about the development and maintenance of the facility, and although I must admit
above all, at a competitive level is given a personal touch, depending on the characteristics
athlete's own.

Any way there are basic procedures that all cases must be met, regardless of technical level of the skier.
One of these procedures, the first (maybe) after skiing purchased, whether new or used, is just cleaning up the base.
The base of the skis in all cases, regardless of color, are of polyethylene, a material that is water-resistant use, relatively easy to repair and work, in turn, porous.
This porosity gives you the ability to receive wax, which is an essential element for maintenance and Last longer Capacity of the ski bases, which are highly affected and reduced by external agents such as dust, pollen, diesel, and myriad other items that are in the snow.
Sliding own capabilities and maneuverability are greatly affected by all this dirt
that is formed on the surface of the bases of the skis. And when you go plugging your pores, preventing the reception of wax, forming a vicious circle, resulting in a less docile skiing and therefore less enjoyable.

Let me suggest to you and then before moving to the explanation of the procedure itself, that is a basic and primary (hence comes the name of the note), to slide properly and enjoy a full days skiing.

The most desirable and safest way to clean the bases of the skis is waxed (paraffin) by heating.
The use of solvents in some cases could damage the structure of polyethylene and in almost all cases, "dried" much the bases.
The procedure is relatively easy and simple and requires the following elements:
  Ski vises (to hold the skis)
Iron (with thermostat)
Wax for wet snow (soft paraffin). Fluoridated No!
Plastic scraper (sharp)
Brush (bronce, cren horse nylon), if more than one use in that order.
Apply the wax cold, rubbing on the ski, making a film that then allow the best distribution of wax in customer and / or avoiding direct contact of the iron with polyethylene.
Support the wax on the iron, noting that not long to melt smoke, in this case lower the temperature of the iron, to be correct, when the wax melts without smoke. Keep pouring the wax as it melts on contact with iron, throughout the length of ski. Forward and back, seriously enough, and then continue with the virtual "ironing" of skiing, sliding the iron along the soft, slowly and without pressure. After some past (approx. 5) can be observed around the iron was kept up the melted wax. This is an indicator that the polyethylene of the base has already received sufficient heat to open their pores and allowing the entry of the wax.
Then and even the wax melted, it must pass the plastic scraper, perpendicular to and along the ski (tip to tail), trying to remove as much wax as is posible.It can easily observe that the same goes impregnated impurities and dirt. Should finally pass brushes, which are responsible for removing the last traces of wax (structure).
If we observe that the removal wax contains much dirt, repeat the procedure once or twice and then using the wax for the conditions chosen in the case, waxing again, allowing the ski base to cool completely before Remove the wax to the skis bases.

This procedure should be repeated periodically, especially by increasing the use frequency, or when there is old snow in the spring.
Please note that with a ski bases clean and well lubricated the skis not only be much more docile and maneuverable, but also better resist abrasions and use, thus lasting longer!

Ernesto "Pinky" Fernández
Teacher

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