How to Fix a Core Shot on Your Skis

When you ski, sometimes you ski over things other than snow, like rocks. It happens to everyone at some point. Rocks can rip through the smooth base on the bottom of your ski. If the base rips all the way to wood or metal and looks different than the base, it is called a core shot because it rip to the core of the ski. Core shots need to be repaired to prevent damage and keep your skis sliding on the snow. This can be complex and often repairs need to be done at a professional shop. However, if you want to familiarize yourself with the process, read on to learn how to fix a core shot on our skis.

Things You'll Need

• Vise
• Brake retainer
• Lighter
• P-Tex
• Metal scraper
• Epoxy
• Razor

Instructions

1. Warm skis to room temperature. While the skis are warming up you can place skis on vises (that hold the ski in the proper position) with base up, place retainer, which is a large rubber band, on brakes so they are out of the way, and clean the bases.

2. If the gouge goes all the way to the core of the ski (meaning you can see something at the bottom of the gouge that doesn't look like the rest of the base), use a razor to smooth the area in and around the core shot you are fixing.

3. Clean the hole and surrounding area of any extra dirt and fill half of the gouge with epoxy.

4. Rough the wet epoxy surface up with the razor. This gives more surface area for the P-tex to attach. Let the epoxy dry.

5. Light the P-tex on fire. It should burn a small blue flame. Drip the P-tex onto the epoxy. Fill the hole so that the P-tex goes above the base.

6. Apply pressure on the P-tex by pressing your hand against the metal scraper as it dries. This will help the P-tex and epoxy join. This will take about 15 to 30 minutes and the P-tex will cool to room temperature

7. Scrape the P-tex area with a metal scraper from tip to tail until it is smooth and even with the base. You need to scrape tip to tail so the metal scraper does not hit the ski's edges. Hold the metal scraper at a 45-degree angle to the base. Use medium pressure to avoid ripping the P-tex out.

Tips & Warnings

• P-tex is the same material as the base, but in candle form. When it drips into the gouge, it bonds with the base material.

• Don't tune skis where you can't make a mess.

• All ski tuning equipment should be available at a reputable ski shop near you. A proper hot wax is important after you fix a core shot.

• You may want to watch a professional try this before you do it on your own.

• P-Tex is hot and can burn you. Do not drip P-tex on your skin.