 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
hi all. my wife's skis have been in the loft since about 2007 without use, they have had a bout 2 weeks on the snow prior to this and only been waxed once when we bought them. having taken them out of the loft the other day to inspect the bases there are white areas on them, i believe this is oxidisation? can anyone tell me what i need to do to treat them? is this something i need to have done professionally or can i do at home and if so how? thanks in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Don't think p-tex can oxidize can it? It might be the wax going off.
Take them to a pro - get them cleaned, have the bases ground, the edges done and get them properly waxed. If you are asking the question, it's an odds on bet that you don't have the kit or the expertise to do the job properly. Whilst with said pro, get an edging tool and take his advice on a daily quick waxing regime and remember to have the skis storage waxed prior to laying them up again. Don't store them in the loft - skis whould be stored upright and seperated in a warm-ish dry area - don't put them with your boiler, a hall or broom closet would do.
You can do most of this at home but you need the proper kit to do it.
If you are fortunate enough to be near Nottingham - go see Jon at the Piste Office - http://www.jonsskituning.co.uk/
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Wait for someone more experienced to confirm, but this just sounds like the wax has worn off and they need re-waxing. All skis need it after a few weeks use. It's a standard service any ski shop will do for you, or get the kit and some instruction from someone like Spyderjon and DIY it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Megamum,
+1
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
bendiddley, That pic just shows a ski which needs waxing. Nothing unusual about it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bendiddley, just as they said above. Don't fret too much about it, and go and get them a good wax.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bendiddley, what RattytheSnowRat, said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
yup, just needs a clean and wax . . . though it can be noted that over a long time plastic leeches out its volatile components that can leave a powdery residue or 'bloom' on the surface making the plastic brittle or friable. I've played with 70's bindings that literally crumbled in my hands. Light and pigments are a couple of triggers for this.
Today's plastics are far better formulated and I've only seen one elderly snowboard base that cracked when bent and that had been used as a chair back and been out in the sun and weather for 10 years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Megamum, I don't think so.
I have seen many pairs of skis which have been left in storage for a few years and they definitely develop a bloom and sometimes a hairiness to them. IME a simple waxing won't return them to the state that is desired.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| under a new name wrote: |
Megamum, I don't think so.
I have seen many pairs of skis which have been left in storage for a few years and they definitely develop a bloom and sometimes a hairiness to them. IME a simple waxing won't return them to the state that is desired. |
hi megamum. yes that sounds like it, i think there is some of what you have just described. do you know what needs to be done if simple waxing isn't the job?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Megamum, i think that's slightly different, but maybe not...
i'd be surprised if PTFE oxidised like that as well, although less so if the wax did (e.g.white bloom on polished shoes).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
bendiddley, they're ruined. Completely beyond salvage i'm afraid. If you send them to me along with £20 I'll arrange for safe disposal of them. It's the only thing for it. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
monkey, sweet  u is a true SH to the core.
Megamum, agree with the oxidisation point you make but still think he needs to do what I stated since I suspect that he did not get them 'trued' by stone grinding originally (OK - I'm anal, wtf). It could be some of the wax partially exuding from the p-tex pores due to heating/cooling action + incorrrect storage (i.e. flat)
bendiddley, the cure for what is described by under a new name is cleaning then wax application then removal of wax whilst still softish with a metal edge scraper (IF you actually have p-tex micro hairs), test and repeat as nec., final wax then structure. It takes a bit of time. Looking at the pictures you could try getting some lemon juice and giving them a quick wipe tip to tail then immediatley cleaning them off with a damp cloth. If you do this you will def need to wax afterwards but if all the 'bloom' goes then it was prob just some dirt and lack of wax. If the surface feels hairy/ rough afterwards, this is def the case. It def looks as if they were stored unwaxed so I also think some drying out of the p-tex may have ocuured. The skis need tlc. Whatever you decide to do they def look as if they need a wax. Are you comfortable doing and edge and wax yourself and do you have the kit? Otherwise, see above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
cran
cran
Guest
|
What's the problem?
Just use it as an excuse to buy new big fat shredding skis
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
bendiddley, on a more serious note, just wax them and they'll be fine. My offer still stands though if you want to take me up on it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| RattytheSnowRat wrote: |
| It def looks as if they were stored unwaxed so I also think some drying out of the p-tex may have ocuured. |
This^ Bases usually start to go whitish and dry if they haven't been waxed for a while. I find that a decent hot waxing and brushing usually restores them to their former glory. I've never seen anything bad happen to them eg. cracking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
uktrailmonster, no argument from me, I was just making the observation that the OP - as with so many of us - may not have had the skis trued originally and I thought he may as well go for a stone grind given that the ski's appear to be in a mainly wax free condition. If he doesn't then wax and go looks like a winner.but I assumed he would need to go to a pro to have that done anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sharkymark, you MIGHT be able to fill such a gap with p-tex, possibly. I'd give 'em a trial run after some directed TLC but I think the issue might be how detached the p-tex has become from the bottom of the core.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| under a new name wrote: |
Megamum, i think that's slightly different, but maybe not...
i'd be surprised if PTFE oxidised like that as well, although less so if the wax did (e.g.white bloom on polished shoes). |
Personally, I'd take a punt at some form of salt/oil deposition/crystallisation from the water evaporating out the ski base during storage.
But I'm a computer scientist, so what do I know...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
FlyingStantoni, only reason that seems a bit unlikely is the wave pattern of the white deposits. If it was as you suggest you would expect it to be more random. It's possible tho'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is more or less useless to wax. Take skis to stone grind first, and then wax after that. This base is more or less ruined the way it is (without serious stone grinding), so even if you wax, wax will never penetrate deep enough to have some effect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Oxidation might (often) causes something to darken in colour or for another layer to be added, but IMO the ski in the picture just has the wax worn off the base by abrasion alone as all skis suffer from. It might also occur most in the areas of most wear on the ski base and might not be uniform along the length.
