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    How to Maintain Waxless Skis (part 3)

    January 7, 2009
    waxlesszone

    How  to maintain the kick-zone on a waxless ski: A simple guide to cleaning, repairing, and waxing

    Go to Part One | Go to Part Two

    Now what about the kick-zone on a waxless ski?  Many articles have been written with the assumption that if you use waxless skis, then you probably are not a competitive enough skier to be concerned with drag caused by a scratched up, un-waxed kick-zone.  As such, most articles avoid treatment of how to maintain the kick-zone.

    But maintaining the kick-zone is the single most important factor to avoid picking up clumps in warm weather on a waxless ski.  Here's a simple way to do it:  First, remove the coarse edges from scratches and gouges by lightly spot sanding with a small piece of 150 or 200 grit sandpaper, but do so sparingly, and do not round over the gripping edges of the fishscales.  Often, a scratch will leave a ribbon of plastic that is only half connected to the base.  Carefully remove this loose plastic with a small putty knife if the sandpaper does not do the job.  Follow up each spot with 400 grit sandpaper, and then move to minor scratches with the 400 grit.  Never sand across the width of kick zone!  Only sand back and forth along the length of the ski.

    waxkickAfter you have sufficiently removed the raised portion of the scratches, clean the kick-zone with ski cleaner or alcohol.  Once dry, take a bar of glide wax, and rub the flattest, smoothest side down the length of the ski, from the tip end to the tail end (in the kick-zone only).  Do not rub the opposite direction as wax will fill in the gripping fishscale edges!  Do this many times, adjusting the rubbing direction by 10 degrees to each side, to help fill all surface voids while leaving the grip edge clean of wax.  The layering of wax will appear thin and dull.  Finally, use your palm and vigorously rub the waxless kick-zone to warm the wax and smooth it into the base material. If the wax has a high melting point that doesn't soften with your hand, gently warm the wax with a hair drier, and then continue rubbing with your palm.  Now your ski will stop picking up clumps of snow and ice, and will glide much more smoothly in a variety of conditions.
    --AK
     

    Tags:   news   gear    

    Does Indiana get enough snow for cross country skiing?

    February 18, 2022

    Skiers, courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/people/a4gpa/Yes, Indiana receives plenty of snow for XC skiing... But how far you travel to get to the snow all depends on where you live in Indiana. South Bend averages... read more

    Tags:   snow   places  

    Cross Country Ski Equipment and Gear

    January 14, 2009

    Skis and Ski BootsCross Country Ski Equipment and GearHow to Choose the Right Skis discusses your options for cross country skis, boots, and bindings. Includes our sizing... read more

    Tags:   gear   news  

    How to Maintain Waxless Skis (part 2)

    January 2, 2009

    How to prepare the ski and apply glide waxGo to Part One | Go to Part ThreeThe five minute method is to purchase glide wax paste, of which several brands are... read more

    Tags:   news   gear  

    Skiers' Health and Fitness

    January 1, 2009

    The Health Benefits of Cross Country Skiing Explores the reasons that Nordic skiing is the best all around form of exercise. Includes a chart of calories... read more

    Tags:   health   news  

    How to Maintain Waxless Skis (part 1)

    December 16, 2008

    Waxless Cross Country SkisWhy (and where) you need to wax your waxless skis: A brief explanation of friction, suction, wax and structureGo to Part Two | Go to Part ThreeSo you've... read more

    Tags:   news   gear    

    How to Choose the Right Skis

    November 16, 2008

    How to Choose the Right Skis, Bindings, Boots & PolesThe equipment you choose for cross country skiing depends on how and where you intend to ski.  ... read more

    Tags:   news    

    The Health Benefits of Cross Country Skiing

    July 6, 2008

    Woman XC skate skiingThe low-impact, total body workout of Nordic Skiing has numerous health benefitsIt's the ultimate cardio exercise, the number one calorie burner, provide... read more

    Tags:   health   news  

    Hills, Forests, and Fields of France Park

    January 9, 2008

    Family skiing at France Park, Cass County, IndianaA look at one of Indiana's most beautiful rural ski areas.  Deer, turkey, eagles and osprey --all are a common sight at this park located in... read more

    Tags:   news   places  

    Pre-Season Conditioning (part 3)

    December 15, 2007

    ← Back To Part 2Up to Part 1 ↑Part 3: Toning your Muscles for Increased EnduranceYou are an active person. But the busy-ness of summer seldom gives... read more

    Tags:   news   health   conditioning    

    Pre-Season Conditioning (part 2)

    November 30, 2007

    ← Back To Part 1Skip to Part 3 →Part 2: Improving Your Balance and StabilityRemember the first time you put on a pair of cross country skis and... read more

    Tags:   news   health   conditioning    

    Pre-Season Conditioning (part 1)

    November 12, 2007

    Part 1: Stretching to improve flexibilitySkip to Part 2 → Cross Country Ski Season is right around the corner. The chill in the air all of a sudden... read more

    Tags:   health   news   conditioning  

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