WAX to the MAX

[DPO777]

It would be interesting to see folk's wax tuning tools and waxes. We have all experimented with some crazy waxes and DIY waxing tools over the years. With the new skins in the mix, it has added to the game that already had so many variations and different waxing methods to get that magic mix between grip and glide and the every day is a new challenge with snow conditions. One day you think you guessed right and you were off the mark. Next day your questioned your choice and you got it right.

I remember back in the 70s you could pick up the swix type chalk on waxes for a buck or two at your local hardware store. CTC up my way. They sold skis and snowshoes as well. Most of the ones we saved are maybe pushing the expiry date and were mostly Fluoro waxes.

We all likely have some funny wax stories including some gooey messy glister and soft kick wax disasters . When I was a young lad in the early 70s I took out my mom's old apparently downhill solid wood strap in boot skis out back in the deep snow (my first BC adventure) and was very disappointed and discouraged with no glide and such a tough time getting anywhere. Upon return I told my Dad about the not so fun trip out back and with a funny look on his face he said "Well did you wax them up son" . I quietly said no but thanks for the tip. I then went and grabbed some paraffin canning wax (quietly in tip toes) and took my Dad's torch (even more secretly) and melted and spread out with a rag (nearly started a fire) on the sticks of lumber and hit the outback again with a smile on my face with the new found winter fun. My younger brother and I getting our first set of wooden true Cross Country skis for Christmas was like a great Christmas Morning Dream Bounty. Then came the tar base fun LOL

I have been experimenting with the Eco waxes but I find they are definitely different in there iron on, scrap off and glide properties.

With today's options of Waxable, Waxless and combination of the two with a add on or fixed skin options makes the waxing methods more varying.

I have tried many of the waxes over the years including the sprays and pastes with the exception of the roll on glide waxes such as the F40. If I find some go on sale would likely give them a try but at $30 CAD a pop that is a bit pricey.

I find skis like the Fisher E99/Transnordic 66 with OTX Crown are less sensitive to wax tuning than lets say the Gammie 54s where there is a more fine line between the right grip and glide. The trade off is on the waxless you are going to have some drag but less temperamental than the waxables.

The other day our temps dropped quick from double digit minus temps to hovering around the freezing point with sunshine. I hot waxed the e99s with cold base wax on the glide areas first and then hot waxed some red glide wax over that with a bare OTX grip section.

Getting out on the trail found out it was bit of a miss. Too much grab and not enough glide. It however was easy to improve half way in the trail I scrap cleaned the the skis a bit and applied a paste glide wax tip to tail and the result was better glide and a more fun on trip back even though I knew the paste fix would be short lived. That was all good until looking up in the trees I dragged some Doggie Do Do for 12' feet. Some very interesting glide and grip properties.

A trip out before that I was testing the Gammie 54s X-Skins and the Sporter Explorer skins and found out quick that was way too much grip unless very icy or slippery. Luckily I didn't put any kick wax under the Gammie 54 X-Skins so it was a simple fix to just pull them off and apply and cork out some kick wax and go on my merry way if I got the kick wax correct. The Sporten Explorer Skins didn't have that option to remove the skin so the only option was to apply some liquid skin wax and hope for the best which was better but not the greatest. However in the right conditions I could see the Sporten Explorer Skins could still be a limited but excellent ski.

I just broke down and bought a Beaver wax iron and all I can say on that is the selection of old household irons I was using are going into a storage box or to the Sally Anne. Still haven't broke down and bought the dedicated brush sets yet but if the sale comes up...

All part of the continuing Wax up to Win game.

[greatgt]

Older I get the more I want easy up and fast acceleration down, because.......once turning riding It's rooster tailing time. Man, it was good today and waxing is so good. Excellent up, total breakaway on the down. So soft and when skis are fast its riding time with Hardwoods enjoying. Wax is where it's at least in my foggy brain. Arc on! TM

[DPO777]

Older I get the more I want easy up and fast acceleration down, because.......once turning riding It's rooster tailing time. Man, it was good today and waxing is so good. Excellent up, total breakaway on the down. So soft and when skis are fast its riding time with Hardwoods enjoying. Wax is where it's at least in my foggy brain. Arc on! TM

Easy up and fast acceleration down. Yes I concur that is a sweet feeling and goal, especially when the ole body is getting a little creaky and doesn't seem to appreciate any resistance to free and easy movement. The kind of movement you took for granted and never gave it a thought as a younger version of yourself.

Very mild here today around freezing and things melting fast but I see by Sunday down to -20 at night and some more snow in the mix.

This was the last good run I got yesterday before the big thaw. Very windy out on the highways and roads closed due to wet snow and drifting. Sunny and mild on the trail and enjoyed the run well at least till I hit the Doggie Do Do near the end of the run.

https://1drv.ms/f/c/801d0f77eab14e86/Eg ... Q?e=BLlJZM