Ski*go Tip: Images of Ski Waxing

Introduction

The following images (or photos if you prefer) can be helpful in understanding the descriptions given for applying the waxes.

Glide wax is shown at the top of the page and kick wax further down the page.

Applying Glide Wax

Ski after wax has been dripped on with an iron.

Ski after wax has been warmed/ironed (still very warm).

Ski after wax has cooled enough to scrape.

Ski after powder (cold or fluoro) has been sprinkled.

Ski after the powder has been tacked down at one spot.

Ski after the powder has been tacked down on entire ski.

Ski after the powder has been ironed.

Notice the cracking that has happened during cooling. This may show that the wax cooled too quickly and may "pop" when scraped. A "touch-up" with the iron in these areas should help.

Scrape the bulk of excess wax off with a scraper.

Clean the groove too.

Brush the remaining excess off the base.

Preparing the Kick Zone and Applying Kick Wax

Roughen the kick zone with sandpaper.

Fibertex after sanding to remove any big "hairies" that may drag.

Starting to apply kick wax in the hatched pattern. The pattern has been made wide here for you to see it more easily. A hatched pattern is good for control when crayoning.
The layers should be thin.

More hatching in the opposite direction.

Cork the kick wax into the kick zone.

More corking. Notice the first layer is thin.

After corking this layer add 3 to 5 more layers (each corked).
Then let skis cool outside for 5 to 10 minutes to adjust because the corking will have warmed the ski and the wax. You want the ski and the wax to be at the nominal outdoor temperature before using or testing.

Applying Klister to the Kick Zone

Keeping klister in a ziploc is always a good idea.

Dab klister in dots along the kick zone.

Warm the klister to make it easier to spread with a heat gun or hot hair drier. Klisters for warm temperatures need this less than for cold temperatures.

Spread the klister. If using your thumb be sure the klister is not too hot.

The spread klister should be even lengthwise and widthwise.
In this image you can see it is not even. Warm the klister again in this case and spread it more even.

Now the klister is even lengthwise and widthwise.
Warm the klister again to help it adhere to the kick zone.

The applied klister will have a slight glaze to it.
Let the skis now cool outside in the shade for 10 to 15 minutes.
Try to have the skis flat so the klister won't run into the glide zones.
Avoid the klister touching snow until it's completely cold.