What do you put on your waxless ski base?

[patonbike]

I used Swix F4 in the past... but I was never that happy with it. I don't like the smell of it (feel like I need to apply it outside due to fumes) and it didn't seem like it added much glide.

The local shop sold me Maxiglide "MaxxWaxx" which is oddly not marketed towards waxless skis. This stuff feels and smells more like "Pledge" or something. They say it is made from jojoba and it really does not have much of a smell - unfortunately, I did not apply it on Saturday when it was 45F and had some crazy grip on the snow so I don't know how it performs when it really matters. Otherwise it has treated me fine. I do not really have any issues at all until it gets warmer, but will throw a coat on every week or so throughout the season.

I ran out of that and figured I'd try the waxless variety . Haven't tried it yet but I have it here:

http://www.maxiglide.com/our-products.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=97&category_id=29

Does anyone have any comparison between the 3, or others?

[manitou]

I wax the tips and tails conventionally and iron inn, scrape and brush. I have been using Swix Easy Glide and whenit's warmer sometimes FC8A CeraF spray Rocket wax on the no wax pattern.

[BillyFromTheHills]

Jeez Manitou, why do you have to be so condescending?

Sorry you had to deal with the agro locals in your binding thread.....good luck with your creating!

[Crowbar]

The Slick Pro HSP 20 paste wax from Fast Wax has worked real well this year on my scaled skis: http://www.skifastwax.com/alpine-ski...sp-20-blue-60g. I use it on both the tips/tails as well as the scales.

[manitou]

Thanks! No worries, I have tough skin! It comes from being old I guess. haha I also have an engineering background.

[purplesage]

Maxiglide seems to work pretty well in most conditions. Overall though I think hot waxing and scraping the tips and tails regularly will do more for your glide than whatever you put on your scales. Oddly in really sticky conditions a little WD-40 wiped on the scales will help considerably.

[B__]

Unless I know I will need the scales for climbing grip right away, I just hot wax the entire ski base. I use a heat gun and and iron, the gun runs wax down in the scales better than ironing alone. If I want to expose the scales after waxing I use a stiff metal brush.

[Todd Eastman]

Use a big can of whoopass...

[riser3]

"Brown wax". :evil: But it is not intentional. A bunch of people Like to walk the their dogs on some local free groomed XC trails.

[manitou]

Unless I know I will need the scales for climbing grip right away, I just hot wax the entire ski base. I use a heat gun and and iron, the gun runs wax down in the scales better than ironing alone. If I want to expose the scales after waxing I use a stiff metal brush.

Great idea! I'll try this.

[danomike]

Unless I know I will need the scales for climbing grip right away, I just hot wax the entire ski base. I use a heat gun and and iron, the gun runs wax down in the scales better than ironing alone. If I want to expose the scales after waxing I use a stiff metal brush.

I agree, this works for me. Be careful with older Karhu skis - the base material on the tips and tails can be damaged by an iron that is too hot (yes, I found out by personal experience...). Newer Alpinas and Voiles have a higher heat tolerance.

[Tele 'til You're Smelly]

Oddly in really sticky conditions a little WD-40 wiped on the scales will help considerably.

I do that with waxable skis in the late spring with brown sticky snow, right after I rip the skins- it does help!

[bergbryce]

I've used maxglide for awhile. I actually put some on before an outing this past Sunday and as we were skiing out, my skis were REALLY sticky and slow. Practically had to pole to get down the low angle hill back to the car. I think the primary issue is really warm snow, in which case, I think I need something made for warm snow.

So WD40 your skis before descending on that late spring/summer snow that is brown?? I might have to try that.

[BillyFromTheHills]

Try Rain-X

[riser3]

No love for Astroglide?