 Poster: A snowHead
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I've recently come across a couple of products that are supposed to totally replace wax. On is called Juice, by Looknowax. I can't remember the other one's name. My question is, are these genuine alternatives to wax? I'm very conscious the harm to the environment with fluorocarbon waxes, so I'm keen to get something else. If that 'something else' is longer lasting, then all the netter.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are a few such products and they can be considered as supplements to a good wax coating, or something to keep you going until the next waxing.
Generally they are marketed as being Teflon bearing solutions. They dry to leave a sheen and will last 0.5-2 days, depending on the snow temp and miles covered.
They definitely work (I use Zardoz Notwax) but are no substitute for having a good wax base in the first place. This will last much longer and most modern waxes are Fluro free.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@bar shaker,
Modern waxes might be fluorocarbon free but Zardoz isn't.
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Products exist that aim to remove the need for waxing. Apparently they will 'change' the surface they are applied to, if/how this works I have no idea.
I think Juice is the product that is best suited to be applied during production but can be retro fitted if application is done carefully and rigorously.
We set up two pairs of identical skis, one with trad base and wax, another with trad base and a retro application of (I think) Juice with no wax.
I skied the 'Juiced' ski several times and it certainly ran better than a dry base. I couldn't say if it ran as well as a freshly waxed base from the data we got before the test was 'spoiled'.
Unfortunately whilst the skis were out of my care the 'Juiced' pair were waxed in a shop. This spoiled the test, but it may be telling that the user at the time felt the skis needed a wax (actually he reported that the skis felt like they had been waxed but not scraped, but that is one guy's opinion on one day).
So the conclusions we did get to draw were pretty equivocal:
A treated base is better than an untreated dry base (so maybe useful to extend gaps between waxes, or for someone like me who will ignore a dry base).
A treated base can feel 'slower' than a waxed base in some conditions, but maybe it would feel 'faster' in other snow types (much like there are specialist waxes for different snow).
The manufacturers state that racers like the product, I can't verify that at all, but if true maybe it points to good performance on ice/hard pack.
The manufacturers state that the product works well on carpet, again I can't verify, but if true that would be great for users who risk burning a base if waxed skis run dry.
All in all, not a ton of help for you, we did try but the test had too many variables to get good data before the parameters got spoiled.
One final note: I think the product we tested (inadequately) was Juice, but the ski is either with Admin or in Chx so I can't check to be 100%. My apologies to the manufacturers if I am wrong.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I bought some Zardox once as it was on offer and I needed to bump the order up for free posting. I used it once iirc. Can't say as I noticed much difference. Then I generally forgot I had it or couldn't be @rsed.
Wasn't aware of the environmental issues with ski wax though so interested from that perspective.
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we tested out 'juice' both self applied and applied to skis by the makers, on plastic.
The feedback from the racers was that yes it felt good, seemed faster, and was most noticeable in difference at the bottom of the slope whilst 'skating'.
we weren't however able to take it forward as the whole 'prepared' option seemed to break down and the contact seemed to disappear.
not sure that that's entirely helpful, apart from the...yes it got good feedback....but continuity broke down for a longer test.
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Zardoz is good on plastic and in slush.
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The reason I say Juice is better applied during manufacturing is simply that it needs the base to be totally containment free.
This can be achieved with some care and the correct cleaners once the skis have been pressed and packaging waxed.
Better though if it's done before anything is applied to the base, easier still if it's done before the base is off the roll (best of all I guess if it's done by Isosport or whomever as part of the base material manufacture).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Anybody used Purl wax?
Supposedly eco-friendly...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My latest DPS Wailers came pre-Juiced from the factory. Out the box to the touch they felt like a silky smooth perfectly waxed and polished ski.
On the snow I can't say they felt any different to a well wax ski, but then again they aren't claiming to be better just longer lasting than normal waxes. On the very hard cold snow in Jan they started to show what appeared to be dry patches, but they still ran fine.
I was skinning on them (with G3 High Traction skins) and didn't have any issues with the glue gripping the base.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Hmmm, they talk about having a scientific approach, and then use the unit of 'pounds per mountain per 3 days'!
I'm no scientist but I'd have expected to see something like parts per million on meltwater.
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@midgetbiker, I think I now own the Juiced Directors. No difference AFAIK though I am waxing them to my ususal lazy schedule.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, there was a pair of Directors, which if they are stickered then you now have. The real like for like testing though was done (or was supposed to be) with two pairs of Ragnaroks. Those Directors you have though:
If you accept the Juice line: You should realise the wax has worn off because you feel the skis speed up.
If you don't feel the above: Then maybe you just feel even less inclined to wax regularly, because when the wax wears off you just don't feel it as much.
Could depend on the snow, could depend on how much of the base is Ptex not base.
Maybe you should visit this thread every so often to let us all know.............
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Skis get waxed between every trip unless they've had minimal use so if conditions are apt they could be as dry as ghandi's flip flop or still moderately moist so I doubt I'd ever have objective data. Plus the number of Ptex scars they have from dadmin's ...ahem...custody ("they just fell down the stairs guvnor") means there is probably less than 50% OG base.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Oi!! They were like that when I got 'em guv!
Seriously, although I might have added a scratch of my own just to because it looked like that's what everyone was doing, I actually rarely used them.
They really were like that when I got 'em 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes, erm, well. Some of those might have been me
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Is this a wife swapping party for old sad skiers?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Layne wrote: |
| Is this a wife swapping party for old sad skiers? |
Pretty much fortunately she is still a bit of a goer.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, is that the pair with the 3' battle scar? Funny how the person responsible failed to mention that here... 
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