How to care for skis at home. Cross-country ski care and preparation for the season. Ski care

First of all, it should be noted that ski care involves the processing of a sliding surface. Of course, doing this at home is not always convenient, but if you have a minimal set of tools: clamps for securing skis, a scraper, an iron, a combined hand brush and rubbing, then this is enough to care for walking skis.

The basic rule when caring for skis is to do no harm. The sliding surface loses its properties with prolonged contact of unlubricated skis with open air. Also skis are very sensitive to overheating. The most effective way to deal with such overheating is to follow the basic safety rules: heat the iron to the temperature indicated on the ointment package, and move it along the sliding surface from toe to heel, and not back and forth. As a rule, two or three passes are enough for most ointments.

Primary processing of new skis includes

Removing a layer of ground paraffin (applies to more expensive skis)

Sliding surface treated with hard fibertex

Application of paraffin followed by removal with a scraper (repeated carrying out of this procedure improves

slip of new skis)

Brushing

Further preparation of skis for specific weather conditions consists in choosing paraffin according to the expected air temperature and multiple (at least 3-4 times) applying paraffin to the sliding surface according to the above scheme.

Ski waxes are divided into two main groups - glide waxes and grip waxes. The former provide optimal glide quality, while the latter prevent kickback when moving. classic move, that is, slipping of the ski back during repulsion.

Marking the area for applying holding ointments.

1. Find the center of gravity (balance line) of each ski, mark it with a marker, put your skis on a flat surface and stand so that your shoe toes are on the balance line.

2. Transfer your body weight to one ski as a whole and ask an assistant to pass a sheet of paper under the ski. The paper should move freely back and forth from the balance line by 15-20cm (depending on the length of the skis).

3. Make a mark with a marker in the part where the sheet has stopped moving.

4. Repeat the same operation on the other ski.

Holding ointments on "classic" skis are applied within the holding area. Before applying the lubricant, the holding area must be treated with sandpaper (No. 60-80) so that the ointment does not wear off quickly during the ride. Glide wax or paraffin should not be applied within the classic ski holding area.

Holding ointments are solid and liquid (klisters).

Solid ointments are applied in the usual way - release the jar of ointment from the foil, rub it on the ski within the holding area, and then rub it with synthetic rubbing to create a thin, even layer. It is better to apply several thin layers of ointment than one or two thick ones. Many skiers use combination lubrication, applying different ointments as top and bottom coats.

Liquid ointments in a warm room are squeezed out of the tube on both sides of the groove and leveled with a scraper or thumb. The klister layer is then rubbed with synthetic rubbing to create an even layer. As a rule, klisters are applied in a thicker layer than solid ointments, but with a shorter holding zone.

The holding area is cleaned of old grease using special washes-solvents. First, the old ointment is removed with a scraper and then the remnants of the ointment are removed with a richly moistened paper towel.

Unfortunately, in this article it is impossible to tell in detail about all the nuances of preparing modern cross-country skis, but the consultants of the L-BIKE online store will be happy to answer all the questions raised in this topic.

We wish you success in the upcoming winter season!

Properly caring for your skis can extend their lifespan. There are several basic rules:

Salt and open areas of soil - no! Avoid exposed areas from snow, and roads where salt can be sprinkled on the surface.

Transportation of skis only in a protective case;

The use of lubricants;

To do this, use either ordinary paraffin, or purchased in special stores. You can also use lubricants, which are divided into two types: for cold and warm weather. Before applying it, it is necessary to remove the remnants of the lubricant applied before the previous ride. It is worth taking care of a special kit, which includes lubricants and special cleaning products. It must be taken with you to the mountains, it is an indispensable assistant for successful skiing. It is worth noting that it is necessary to store skis only in a lubricated form.

Edge and sliding surface control.

To do this, you need to do:

clean the surface from the previous application of lubricant;

We remove irregularities and roughness by cleaning problem areas. Then we fill these places with plastic. To achieve a better effect, you can go through the sliding surface with a soldering iron. And you can start cycling.

The next step is sharpening. To do this, we wind a layer of electrical tape on one end of the file. The angle of inclination is increased by the method of additional winding.
After sharpening the sliding surface, you should go to the side of the skis. This procedure should be performed more frequently, approximately once every three days.

The final stage of processing is the removal of scuffs and roughness.

Ski boot care

For shoes, there are also care rules:

Proper leg clamp adjustment. This will ensure a comfortable riding condition.

Use shoes only for their intended purpose. The main task of these boots is skating, if you need to go a long distance, then you should take them off and carry them in your hands. It is also necessary to take care of their cleanliness, otherwise problems with fasteners cannot be avoided.

Dry thoroughly after riding, do not use the heat of the batteries. It is usually recommended to put boots in the cold or indoors, but placing paper inside.

Storing shoes in a case. But before that, take care of the cleanliness of the shoes, it is necessary to clean both the inner surface and the outer one. Usually a soap solution is used for this. Then comes the moment of drying, dry with paper placed inside. And only after that we remove the shoes for storage, be sure to place them in a case.

Ski binding maintenance

Also, don't forget about fasteners:

Absolute purity. This procedure is carried out with cold water.

Treating the fasteners with silicone spray will give protection and durability to the fasteners.

Proper transport of skis. It is considered correct to transport skis with a sliding surface to each other.

The exclusion of backlash in the fasteners, during storage, it is worth slightly loosening the springs.

Storage in a case.

Ski pole care

Everything is much simpler here, it is enough to control the condition of the rings and lanyards. If there are defects, repair or replace.

These tips will help you understand some of the intricacies of caring for your skis and accessories. They will help both novice skiers and skiers with experience.

Ski care starts from the moment of their direct purchase. Such sports equipment needs special attention, so you should study all the information in advance.

First of all, you need to understand the existing types of skis, there are three of them:

mountain;
running smooth;
with notches.

Alpine skis are sports equipment that is used for fast descent from snowy slopes. Today such skis are used in various competitions and have nothing in common with the equipment that was used ten years ago. The high-tech design of such equipment includes the combination of wood and plastic, as well as various fasteners. The main goals in the design of alpine skis are safety and speed.

Cross-country smooth skis are a classic version of such equipment. Such skis are used for convenient and fast movement on snow. In turn, the design of the equipment can be designed for a parallel style of movement, as well as for movement like skaters.

Skis with notches are designed for climbing mountain slopes. The main purpose of such equipment is to provide protection for a person while moving. Serifs do not allow the skis to glide sufficiently on the snow, so this type of equipment is not used in sports.

Ski care rules

There are quite a few rules for ski care both during their use and during their storage. First of all, we will look at how you need to take care of your sports equipment so that your skis always remain in perfect condition.

First of all, you should take care of the edges- ski elements that are responsible for sliding and clinging to snowy slopes. This element is located on the side of the ski that is in direct contact with the snow. Immediately after purchase, the edges need to be sharpened and subsequently maintained in this state constantly. The surface of the skis can be treated with a special diamond whetstone. Once the surface of the edge has become soft and silky, the ski is ready for use.
Of course, one sharpening will not be enough, so the edges must be treated with a protective agent. Most manufacturers treat their skis with soft paraffin, even for transport, so as not to damage the edges. However, after sharpening, the skis should be treated again with soft paraffin..
If you are not going to use your skis right away, and therefore there is no need to sharpen and wax your skis, you still need to wash your sports equipment after purchase. This is done at least in order to remove the soft paraffin with which the manufacturer processes the skis. This is because during transportation and sale, such paraffin probably absorbed dirt, which must be disposed of.
Many are interested in the question of how often to lubricate the skis per season and how often to sharpen the edges. First of all, these questions directly depend on how often sports equipment is used. On average, one or two hot ski lubricants are enough for the entire season, while sharpening should be done as needed. Gently run your fingernail along the surface of the edge: if the nail clings to small grooves, then you need to urgently sharpen it.
Skis should be maintained even while they are in use. Do not allow water to come into contact with the surface of sports equipment, as frost will freeze the liquid and may damage the skis.
After skiing, be sure to dry the surface of the skis with a soft, dry cloth, rinse and dry the boots, if they are part of the equipment. In no case do not pack skis in protective cases if the equipment is not completely dry.
In the off-season, when you are not using your skis for their intended purpose, take the equipment for preventive checks and testing. Safety is the most important thing, so it is necessary that a specialist assess the quality of the fasteners and, if necessary, eliminate possible problems. If you have sufficient experience, you can check all the bindings of mountain or cross-country skis yourself at home.
When transporting, be sure to take care of the safety of the sliding surface of the equipment, so the skis should be folded with the edges inward, securing the equipment from above and below with special Velcro or ropes.

We rub the surface

Care and maintenance of mountain or cross-country skis necessarily include rubbing the sliding surface of the equipment. You can do this even at home, if you follow a simple step-by-step instruction.

For processing edges, we need an old model of iron that does not have a Teflon coating, but on which you can adjust the temperature. Also, the hot lubrication method involves the use of paraffin: it can be a regular candle or a special wax for skis, which can be purchased at a sports store.
We heat the iron, setting the lowest temperature. We cover the working surface with clean sheets of paper so as not to damage the table and sports equipment. We put the ski with the sliding surface up. Make sure the ski is level and still.
Bring a candle or a bar of special paraffin to the iron. As soon as the material begins to melt, drip paraffin onto the surface of the edge so that the distance between the drops is approximately five centimeters. Note that the paraffin should melt naturally. If it makes crackling sounds, then the temperature of the iron is too high.
Gently and quickly iron the base of the skis to evenly distribute the paraffin along the entire edge. With this hot treatment, the required amount of paraffin is absorbed into the sliding surface.
Remains of paraffin must be removed using a plastic scraper. At home, it can even be the most ordinary plastic ruler. Wait for the sports equipment to cool completely, and do not forget to clean the soleplate of the iron.

Paraffin is the main means of ski care during the period of use, as well as in the off-season. No other care products are used. The surface of the skis is most often simply wiped with a dry towel.

You can learn more about how to apply wax on skis at home in the video below.

Storage of sports equipment

The final step in the care and maintenance of alpine skis and sports equipment with notches made of wood and plastic is storage.

With this item, everything is much simpler. It is necessary to keep skis warm, in no case do not leave sports equipment to freeze in the garage, because in this case you can easily damage the wooden or plastic base of the skis. At the same time, remember that to put mountain or cross-country skiing near heating appliances is strictly prohibited. High temperatures can also adversely affect the base material of sports equipment.

If your skis are equipped with special plastic boots, never store them unbuttoned. During the storage of equipment in the off-season, the plastic can be deformed, after which it will be problematic to use skis.

Also, skis should be stored and transported in special cases that protect the skis from mechanical damage.

If you need to prepare equipment for storage for the summer, then be sure to rinse and clean the skis from the old paraffin layer. Dry your equipment outdoors, but keep your skis out of direct sunlight. Then sharpen the edges and treat the sliding surface with a new layer of paraffin. Then you can pack the equipment in a special case. The ideal option would be if you have a special shelf for storing skis at home or on the balcony. In this case, the sports equipment will remain in perfect condition until the next ski season.

Having studied the proposed material, now you know how to properly care for all types of skis at home during the season and off-season.

Like any sports equipment, skis wear out over time. However, by following certain care rules, you can easily ensure that your skis will serve you for a long time. Our material will introduce you to the main recommendations.

Immediately after buying the ski, it is necessary to wash it, thoroughly cleaning the surface of the paraffin with which the manufacturers protect it during transportation. Such a coating should be removed, since it has already absorbed dirt and dust, which will damage the sliding surface of the skis during skiing. Use washes (base cleaner) or solvents.
When transporting skis, do not let them cross - use lipaks for binding and protective covers.
It is advisable to store skis in a warm room at home, however, keeping them away from heating devices.
You should not leave your skis on a winter street, especially if water gets into the bindings during skiing - they can get damaged and crack as a result of freezing of the liquid. Try to avoid exposing your skis to sunlight.
Inspect equipment regularly for damage. Pay special attention to the flatness of the sliding surface and the sharpness of the edges.
The roundness of the edges, the appearance of irregularities and burrs on them signals to you that you need to sharpen as soon as possible. Contact a specialist workshop or process the edges yourself with a cantorez and a file.
After sharpening, the edges should be polished with special stones (use a diamond polishing stone and then a ceramic polishing stone or an abrasive polishing stone).
Several times a season, apply ski wax (preferably with a wide temperature range) or soft paraffin to the sliding surface, thanks to this lubricant, it lasts longer and glide better on the snow.
Once a season, it is recommended to use the "hot method" of lubrication.

We process skis using the hot lubrication method:

1. Preheat the iron (preferably if it is an old model without Teflon coating).
2. The iron must have a temperature control: set it to the minimum mark.
3. Cover any flat surface (such as the floor or table) with newspapers and lay the ski on them with the sliding surface up.
4. Gently bring the wax to the iron. Make sure that the drops of melted paraffin fall on the sliding surface, forming a chain with a step of about 5 centimeters.
5. Paraffin should melt slowly. If it crackles noticeably, then you need to lower the temperature of the iron.
6. Quickly iron the sliding surface of the ski, evenly distributing the paraffin.
7. Scrape off excess paraffin from the surface of the ski with a scraper. As a scraper, you can use a hard plastic plate with a sharp edge (a ruler or a box of a music disc is quite suitable).
8. Finally, do not forget to clean the iron.

In order for your ski equipment to serve you as long as possible, it needs careful care.

Skis that do not have a plastic coating on the base should be tarred immediately after purchase, and then this operation should be repeated at the end of each season. Before grinding, the skis are cleaned of varnish or old ointment, the sliding surface is heated on a gas stove or blowtorch, but so that the resin does not burn. Then the sliding surface is smeared with tar or liquid ski wax, rubbed and heated again so that everything is absorbed into the ski. The hot ski is smeared again and left to absorb the ointment. Then, after wiping dry, the skis are placed in spacers.

It is useful to coat the upper surface of wooden skis with oil varnish from time to time. This gives the skis an elegant look and protects them from the effects of water.

Cracks and breaks can be glued with BF-2 glue or epoxy resin. Gluing points can be reinforced with wire staples or thin nails. A very good result is obtained by an overlay made of fiberglass impregnated with epoxy resin with the addition of 1/10 of the hardener. If this is not the case, you can use any durable fabric folded in several layers and impregnated with BF-2 glue. Before applying a patch, the tree is carefully cleaned. It is best to withstand such a patch under load at a temperature of 80-120 ° during the day, and then paint over it. The overlay can also be made of thin tin.

Defects in the plastic sliding surface are well sealed with nitro putty, which is applied several times in a thin layer on a clean, fat-free surface. Holes in plastic can also be repaired with a thick solution of celluloid, which is easy to obtain by dissolving finely chopped and emulsified pieces of film in acetone. It is also good to use epoxy, polyester or acrylic resins for this. The upper plastic edges on alpine skis can be repaired using the same tools.

To restore the appearance of the upper surface of skis, damaged paint or plastic is cleaned with a thin sandpaper and nitro-paint is applied to it - best of all from a spray gun. When the painted surface dries, it is sanded with a thin sandpaper, and then with felt, a colorless varnish is applied and polished with a cloth. To give the surface a mirror shine, it is varnished two or three times.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the metal edges in alpine skiing and inspect them regularly, immediately replace the screws that have flown out. If during the ride you find that the edge begins to dangle, it must be immediately strengthened or removed completely, so that later it can be properly put on all the screws. From time to time, it is useful to sharpen the edges and pins of the sticks with a file.

At the end of the season, all metal parts of the skis must be cleaned and lubricated with petroleum jelly or other similar lubricant.

Skis should be stored in a cool place tied up and best when standing up. If there is a sharp temperature difference in the room depending on the height, then the skis are stored lying down, on the edge. For cross-country and pleasure skiing, the spacer should not be more than 5 cm. Alpine skiing does not need a spacer at all. Too much spacer for glued skis does not increase their weight deflection, but only harms, creating residual stresses in the wood.

Broken cross-country or alpine skis can be repaired by a good carpenter, so broken parts should not be thrown away. Repairing cheap skis is not worth it - repairs will cost more than buying new skis.

Boots, both the upper and the sole, should always be well coated with a special ointment for sports shoes or grease. Before impregnating the shoes, it is necessary to preheat them with warm air, for example, from an oven. The shoes are impregnated until the skin is completely saturated. Ski boots are best soaked in paraffin wax. This makes them more rigid.

Before each skiing trip, the boots are lubricated with a special shoe polish for sports shoes. This protects them well from getting wet and gives them a neat look. Ski shoes, well smeared with shoe polish, are stored on special wooden blocks. This is especially important for ski boots. If there are no lasts, boots can be tightly stuffed with newsprint.

In no case should you, as it unfortunately often happens, walk in ski boots without skis. To do this, you need to use felt boots, cloth boots or boots.

Before you go skiing in new boots, you need to knead them on the leg - put on a woolen sock and walk for half an hour indoors. This applies especially to ski boots, in which the beginner at first feels like a diver on land.

To improve the connection with the skis and to protect the sole in ordinary ski boots, it is recommended to attach the same plates with holes for the pins of the welt attachment to the bottom of the toe with aluminum rivets:
Broken bamboo sticks are repaired very simply. To do this, the cracked knee of the stick is wrapped with insulating tape, adhesive plaster or thin wire.

Leather stick loops and ring straps are also soaked in boot wax two to three times a season. Before each ski trip, the fastening of the rings on the sticks is checked.

Rice. 11. Ski shoe lasts

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