Waxing / Scraping / Brushing (WSB) CycleOne method to insure that you get the maximum performance out of your skis is the WSB Cycle. Not only will it make your skis perform and glide better; it will also protect, condition and stabilize the base material. Waxing is one place where some is good, more is better!
Once your new or reground skis have been shaped and edge angles set, it is time to begin the WSB process.
SL / GS: minimum 4 – 6 WSB cycles before on snow session (hot box optional)
SGS / DH: minimum 10 WSB cycles, plus hot box session before on-snow session. Ideally, speed skis should also be “snow cycled” then WSB’d a few more times before use to get the most “speed”.
a WSB uberblick
Waxing
Use a “base prep” wax for this process. Be sure your iron is burr-free and that the “wax puddle” behind the iron is no more than 3 – 5 inches; keep iron moving and apply extra caution in the tip and tail areas, as these areas are more susceptible to damage. Allow ski to cool 20 - 30 minutes before scraping - the longer the better - (best not to exceed 3 WSB cycles per day)
Scraping
Use only a clean, 90-degree angled, plastic* scraper that is free of burrs to remove all the excess wax off the surface of the base before brushing. Scrape, tip to tail, taking many passes with progressive pressure to remove the wax. Be sure that you are getting all the wax off the ski along the entire length. Keep scraping until you cannot remove any more wax.
*more on scraper types in a future blog
Brushing
Use your brushes in long, smooth, even strokes with firm progressive pressure and two hands. Work from the stiffest brush that you chose to start with to the finest. After each brush type, take your scraper and re-scrape the ski, then pass your fibertex and fiberlene down the ski.
REPEAT AS NEEDED
6 comments:
Hi Blake.Perfect blog.my question is: why WSB and add new wax? Why not waxing/cooled/re-melting/cooled and repeat few more times before scraping and brushing? Thanks.
Mark
Blake,
It seems to me that you do not have a problem at all. Place your cursor inside the blank comment box, type your reply to Mark. Click "post comment".
David
P.S. select Google account if you have one.
David
as i am not able to post as of yet and you are, could you post the following on my behalf on my blog?
"Mark
Thanks for the note. sorry it took a while to respond - the blog is new to me.
Yes, you are correct, wax, cool, re-melt is an effective method to increase wax absorption, however with new or freshly ground skis the scraping and brushing steps (removing mirco hairs and aligning micro-structure) are equally important.
Food for thought - ask 10 tuners about ski prep and you’ll receive 11 answers. Key is pay attention to the details and add methods / skill sets that you can repeat.
Blake"
Blake
Many thanks.You are right.Micro hairs!I forgot:-)
Mark
Hey Blake!
There are a bazillion different brushes out there, so what bristle types do you recommend, and in what order (after scraping, that is)?
Thanks!
Jim in Utah
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