How to Finish Snow Shoes

Traditional wood-and-rawhide snowshoes can last a lifetime. To get your traditional snowshoes ready for annual maintenance, they need to be finished properly. The good news is that finishing a snowshoe and maintaining a snowshoe follow the same process.

Things You'll Need

• 100-grit sandpaper
• Marine spar varnish
• Mixing cup
• Paint brush or foam brush

Instructions

1. Sand the frame's wood using 100-grit sandpaper. If you're refinishing the snowshoes, sand the wood and the rawhide webbing to remove loose or brittle varnish. For both new and used snowshoes, avoid sanding into the rawhide.

2. Mix your spar varnish according to its directions. Use spar varnish because it flexes to help prevent cracking.

3. Pour some spar varnish into a mixing cup, and dip your brush into the varnish in the cup--not the can. Doing this prevents contamination and dirt from getting into the full can of varnish.

4. Paint the frame and rawhide webbing with varnish. On the abrasion-prone areas, such as the bottom and toe of the snowshoe, apply multiple coats. Allow the varnish to dry between coats.

5. Perform yearly maintenance on the snowshoes by applying a fresh coat of spar varnish at least once a year.

Tips & Warnings

• Neoprene lacing doesn't need to be varnished.

References

• Traditional Snowshoe Care and Maintenance
• Wood-Frame Snowshoe Care and Maintenance Instructions
• Snowshoe Care and Maintenance