How to Hot Wax a Ski
Skis are designed to slide across the snow, but sometimes your ski bases will get dry and sticky, which is no fun and no way to ski. Regularly waxing your skis will help your skis slide better. Waxing is one of the easiest and most basic forms of ski tuning. It is a very simple process that even a novice skier can easily do. Read on to learn how to hot wax a ski.
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Instructions
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Prep the skis. Warm skis to room temperature, clean bases with a rag, and secure binding brake so it's out of the way.
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Brush bases. Use even pressure strokes along the length of the ski. This opens up the base's pores that absorb the wax and helps in the cleaning process.
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Plug waxing iron in. Allow it to warm up.
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Hold block of universal wax to the warm iron. The iron should be tip down about 2 inches above the ski. Allow wax to melt and drip down on to the ski base.
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Drip wax over base. It does not have to cover the base, but should look like a polka dotted wax line along the length of the base.
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Move iron over the whole base to melt the wax into the pores of the base--like you would iron a shirt. Keep the iron moving at all times or you can burn the base. The wax will soak into the base.
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Let the wax dry at least 15 to 30 minutes. Once dry, the wax will be rough and look streaky.
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Use the plastic scraper to scrape wax off of the base. Use evenly pressured strokes from tip to tail. Scrape until there is no visible wax on the base. The rest of the wax has been absorbed into the base.
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Tips & Warnings
Cold skis will not hold the wax as well as room temperature skis.
A heavy-duty rubber band will work to secure the binding brake.
Use a waxing iron, not a clothes iron. A clothing iron is too hot and can burn the base.
Universal wax is best because it will work in all snow conditions and temperatures.
If you let the iron sit on the base it can damage and even ruin your skis.
Irons are hot and can burn you.
Do not drip hot wax on your skin.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this the first time, watch a professional or a buddy to get a better feel for the process.
